“Seniority Restored”: Anambra Civil Service Reverts To 1998 Lateral Transfer Rule, Scraps 2015 Policy

By MaryAnn Chukwuma.

Anambra civil servants who transfer laterally within the service will now retain their seniority, salary grade, and promotion date, as the Civil Service Commission has restored the 1998 guidelines and cancelled the 2015 circular.

This is contained in a circular dated May 4, 2026 and signed by the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Mr. Tony Ezenwaka, NPOM.

The Chairman stated that the 2015 revision had caused widespread confusion, misinterpretation and premature promotions by downplaying cognate experience and focusing more on academic qualification.

According to the circular, under the restored 1998 rule, an Executive Officer who moves to the Officer cadre carries over all service records, including seniority and last promotion date, because both cadres share similar job content and qualifications. The only change is status, from inferior to superior cadre.

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The Commission clarified that a lateral transfer has no promotional effect or advantage since the officer already brings his service particulars into the new post. It also noted that no re-orientation training is required as the officer is already familiar with the terrain.

“The 2015 circular was deemed to have made transfers more non-lateral than lateral, leading to officers being promoted without meeting minimum requirements,” Chairman wrote.

According to the circular, the directive takes immediate effect and applies to all MDAs, the Deputy Governor, SSG, Head of Service, and Heads of Non-Ministerial Departments.