Nigerian Army officers who joined the Armed Forces after university education face a looming mass exodus following the proposed Revised Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) 2024, which is awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s approval.
Aggrieved officers warn that if the document is approved, it will frustrate them out of service due to prolonged stays on ranks.
The document, reviewed by LEADERSHIP, reveals that military authorities are contemplating a policy change that would extend the promotion duration for Direct Short Service (DSS) officers, who join as professionals, while leaving the promotion timeline unchanged for regular service officers commissioned through the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). Currently, junior regular service officers spend five years on a rank, while Department of State Services’ officers spend seven years.
Chapter 17 of the proposed HTACOS outlines the new time requirements for promotions:
Cadet to Lt/SLt/Fg Offr: Automatic promotion after five years unless disciplinary issues arise.
Lt/SLt/Fg Offr to Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt: Promotion after five years for regular officers and seven years for DSS officers.
Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt to Maj/Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr: Promotion after five years for regular officers and six years for DSS officers.
Additional promotion requirements include satisfactory performance reports for three consecutive years, recommendations by commanding officers, successful completion of prescribed promotion examinations, and other conditions set by the Service Council/Board.
For senior officers, the policy states: “Promotion to Lt Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr: Requires five years for regular officers and six years for DSS officers in the rank of Maj/Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr.”
Officers argue that this policy will undermine morale and unity, as DSS officers, essential due to their specialised skills, may feel undervalued and unmotivated, affecting operational effectiveness. Slower promotion rates could deter skilled professionals from joining the armed forces, opting for civilian careers instead.
This delay could also create a bottleneck in leadership within specialized units, impeding the development of experienced leaders necessary for maintaining operational readiness.
“A promotion policy that discriminates based on commissioning source rather than performance and competence undermines the principles of meritocracy,” officers stated. They emphasised that promotions should be based on demonstrated abilities, leadership qualities, and performance rather than the method of entry into the armed forces.
The officers warned that implementing a discriminatory policy may expose the armed forces to legal challenges and ethical scrutiny, violating principles of equality and fairness. They cited the United States and British militaries, which use standardised, merit-based promotion systems, as models for fair and effective promotion practices.
“It is crucial for the Nigerian armed forces to adopt international best practices to maintain a professional, motivated, and cohesive military force,” they added.
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