In a major policy clarification, the National Council on Establishments, NCE, ruled that belonging to a professional association or holding a professional certificate should no longer be used as an automatic condition for appointment, promotion, or career progression.
The decision was taken at the council’s 48th meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from July 20 to 24, 2026. The meeting was chaired by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack. The NCE is the highest policy-making body on establishment matters, and it comprises the Heads of Service of the Federal Government, the 36 states and the FCT.
According to the minutes of the meeting, the council agreed that membership of professional organisations and possession of professional certifications should primarily be about building competence, upholding ethical standards, and supporting continuous professional development.
The Key Resolution
The council stressed that while professional development remains important, it should not by itself determine whether a civil servant gets appointed, promoted, or moves up the career ladder.
“Membership of professional organisations and possession of professional certifications should primarily serve the purpose of promoting professional competence, ethical standards and continuous professional development,” the council stated.
It added that belonging to a professional body should not, on its own, be the deciding factor for a worker’s advancement in the civil service.
For thousands of civil servants across ministries, departments and agencies, this could change how careers are managed. Many workers in technical and professional cadres have in the past been asked to present proof of membership of bodies like ICAN, COREN, NBA, NSE, NMA, NMCN, or COREN before they could be considered for promotion.
When Certification Will Still Be Compulsory
The council, however, did not scrap professional requirements entirely.
It said there are exceptions. Where an approved Scheme of Service for a particular cadre expressly states that professional membership or certification is required, then it can remain a condition.
This means the new rule is not a blanket removal. Instead, it says any professional requirement must have a clear legal or administrative backing in the Scheme of Service, and it must be directly linked to the duties of that specific position.
Cadres likely to be affected by the clarification include accountants, engineers, lawyers, procurement officers, surveyors, architects, medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, teachers and auditors.
For example, a doctor working in a hospital will still need to be registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria because it is a statutory requirement. A lawyer in the Ministry of Justice will still need to be called to bar. But for other roles where professional membership was being demanded without a clear basis in the Scheme of Service, that may no longer stand.
Shift to Competence, Performance and Experience
The NCE’s position aligns with the Federal Government’s broader reform agenda to improve professionalism, skills utilisation, and service delivery in the public sector.
The council wants more focus placed on competence, experience, training, performance and the actual requirements of a job, rather than treating professional association dues and certificates as automatic gatekeepers.
Under current public service rules, promotion is already supposed to consider qualifications, experience, training, performance appraisal and skills. The new clarification seeks to separate genuine professional development from requirements that are not backed by law or service rules.
A senior official at the meeting explained that the intent is to prevent situations where a competent officer is stalled on the same grade simply because they have not joined a professional body, even when their Scheme of Service does not demand it.
Other Key Decisions From The 48th NCE Meeting
Beyond the professional certification issue, the council took several other decisions aimed at restructuring the public service.
1. Harmonised Entry Point Framework Approved
The NCE approved a Harmonised Entry Point Framework to guide how entry points into various cadres are determined across federal, state and FCT civil services.
The council noted that requests for enhanced entry points can have big financial implications and affect grade relativity. As a result, 10 memoranda asking for enhanced entry points were referred to a standing committee for assessment. Five other proposals were sent for further study.
The goal is to bring more consistency in how people enter the service at different levels and grades.
2. Creation of New Cadres Deferred
Five proposals seeking the creation of new cadres were put on hold. The council said it is waiting for the Office of the Head of the Civil Service to complete a personnel audit and skills-gap analysis.
The audit is expected to show what skills already exist in the service and where the critical gaps are. The council said this will help avoid duplication and ensure new cadres are only created based on real workforce needs.
3. Paramedics Cadres Approved
In a boost for the health sector, the council approved two new cadres:
- Paramedics Assistant Cadre: Salary Grade Levels 04 to 07
- Paramedics Technician Cadre: Salary Grade Levels 06 to 14
This provides a formal structure and salary path for paramedics in the public service.
4. Call for Harmonisation
The council also called for stronger cooperation between the Federal Government, states and the FCT to promote harmonised standards, professionalism and better human resource management across the country.
Walson-Jack’s Final Meeting as NCE Chair
The Port Harcourt meeting also served as a valedictory session for Didi Esther Walson-Jack as Chairman of the National Council on Establishments. Members commended her leadership and contributions to public service reforms during her tenure.
What This Means for Civil Servants
For the average civil servant, the implication is clear: you cannot be denied appointment, promotion, or progression simply because you are not a member of a professional body, unless your cadre’s approved Scheme of Service says so.
It shifts the burden. Instead of asking “Are you a member of X professional body?”, HR and promotion boards will now have to ask “Does the Scheme of Service for this position require it?”
Government officials say this will reduce unnecessary bottlenecks, encourage skills development based on job needs, and ensure fairness.
The resolutions from the 48th NCE meeting are part of a wider effort to reposition the Nigerian public service around competency, clear rules, and effective career management.
As the Federal Government, states and FCT begin to implement the new guidelines, civil servants in professional cadres will be watching closely to see how the new policy is applied in practice.
