FCTA Clears Promotion Backlog Amid Workers’ Retirement Anxiety

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it has cleared promotion backlogs for 2023, 2024 and 2025 as workers approaching retirement contend with concerns over their career progression and transition out of the civil service.

Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission (FCT-CSC), Engr Emeka Ezeh, disclosed this on Tuesday at a pre-retirement seminar organised by the commission and the Office of the Head of Civil Service, FCTA.

The seminar, themed “How to Triumph in Retirement,” focused on financial planning, entrepreneurship, health and wellness and life after active service.

Ezeh said retirement after decades in public service could come with anxiety as workers adjust to life outside the civil service.

“No doubt, retirement from active service after 35/40 years on the job or on attainment of 60/65 years of age, can pose a fresh challenge, with apprehension and anxiety over the realities of the coming new life,” he said.

He said the commission had introduced measures to address gaps in career progression and personnel records within the FCT Civil Service.

Among the measures, he said, was the verification and regularisation of civil servants’ appointments, which had brought staff personnel data into a single database.

He also disclosed that promotion backlogs for 2023, 2024 and 2025 had been cleared, while computer-based testing had been introduced for promotion examinations.

According to Ezeh, the CBT system had led to earlier release of promotion examination results and improved transparency in the process.

He said the commission had also produced guidelines on appointment, promotion and discipline and was concluding a Standard Operating Procedure for conversion and upgrading, advancement and skipping.

The measures could affect workers approaching retirement because promotion and career progression determine the grade level at which some officers leave the service.

Ezeh said the commission was working to give workers clearer career progression while preparing them for retirement.

Acting Head of Civil Service, FCTA, Mrs Nancy Sabanti Nathan, urged workers approaching retirement to prepare for the financial and personal changes that come with leaving active service.

Nathan said retirement should not end a worker’s contribution to society, but provide an opportunity to apply experience gained in public service to other areas.

“Retirement is not the end of relevance; rather, it is the beginning of a new chapter in which experience, wisdom, and purpose can be channeled into renewed productivity and personal fulfillment,” she said.

She urged the retiring officers to consider financial planning, entrepreneurship, health and wellness, mentorship, consultancy and community development as they prepare for life after service.

“Triumph in retirement comes when purpose replaces routine, when contribution replaces compensation, and when fulfillment is measured not by rank, but by impact,” she said.

Nathan also said the FCT Administration would continue working with relevant agencies to ensure retirees’ entitlements were processed promptly.