By: Odeh Favour
The Kebbi State Government has directed civil servants across the state to strictly observe official working hours and issued a stern warning against lateness and absenteeism. Employees are required to be at their duty posts from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
This warning was issued in a circular dated September 23, 2026, from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service at the Cabinet Office in Birnin Kebbi, signed by the Head of the Civil Service, Malami Shekare.
The directive followed observations that several government workers had developed the habit of arriving late to work or abandoning their duty posts without obtaining permission or proper communication.
Emphasizing the official schedule, Shekare stated, “The approved official working hours for the State Civil Service are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and all civil servants are expected to strictly adhere to them.”
He called on civil servants to maintain discipline, directing them to “be punctual at their duty posts and comply strictly with the approved working hours.”
Highlighting the need for official channels, Shekare noted, “Any absence from duty or lateness must be officially communicated to, and approved by, the appropriate authority.”
He noted that these prescribed working hours are backed by the law, being grounded in Chapter 13, Section 4, Sub-section 140122 of the Public Service Rules, 2021 Edition.
To ensure enforcement across all levels, Shekare directed heads of various ministries, departments, and agencies to bring the circular to the attention of their staff and strictly enforce compliance.
The circular was dispatched to key government officers, including the Chief of Staff to the Government House, the Director at the Deputy Governor’s Office, the Secretary to the State Government, commissioners, permanent secretaries, and chief executives of commissions, boards, and parastatals across Kebbi State.
