Military Officers who joined the Armed Forces after completing their university education are facing potential upheaval due to proposed changes in the Revised Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) 2024. These changes are currently pending presidential approval. The new policies, if enacted, are expected to significantly affect the career progression of these officers, leading to concerns about a mass exodus from the military.
The proposed revisions have sparked significant unrest among affected officers. According to them, if the president approves the new document, it will create a situation where they remain in the same rank for extended periods. This could lead to frustration and eventually push them out of service.
The proposed policy suggests a shift in promotion timelines for Direct Short Service (DSS) officers compared to those who entered through the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). Currently, DSS officers, who are recruited as professionals with specific skills, are required to spend seven years in their rank before they are eligible for promotion. In contrast, regular service officers, who are commissioned through the NDA, spend only five years in the same rank.
Chapter 17 of the proposed Revised HTACOS outlines that:
“Substantive promotions up to the rank of Maj/Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr shall be by time among other conditions. These time requirements include; (a) Cadet to Lt/SLt/Fg Offr. Commission to these ranks shall be automatic after five years from the date of commencement of cadet training except on disciplinary grounds (Period of 2Lt/Mid/Plt Offr inclusive).
(b) Lt/SLt/Fg Offr to Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt. Promotion to these ranks shall be after 5 years for RCC and 7 years for SSCC, DRC, DSSC and EC/SD/BC in the rank of Lt/SLt/Fg Offr.
c. Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt to Maj/Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr. Promotion to these ranks shall be after 5 years for RCC and 6 years for SSCC, DRC, DSSC and EC/SD/BC in the rank of Capt/Lt(NN)/Flt Lt.
(d) Additional Requirements. In addition to Sub-Paragraphs (b) and (c) above, a candidate should:
(1) Have satisfactory PER/Confidential Report for 3 consecutive years.
(2) Be recommended by his Unit Commanding Officer/ Commander.
(3) Be successful in the prescribed promotion examinations (to a maximum of 3 attempts and have been awarded pjsc/pjlsc or equivalent for Sub-Paragraph c only).
(4) Have satisfied other conditions as may be prescribed by Service Council/Board.
For senior officers, where regular officers also spend five years in their rank, whereas DSS and executive officers are required to spend six years. The proposed policy also specifies the criteria that:
(a) Promotion to Lt Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr. For an officer to be promoted to Lt Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr, he must fulfill the following conditions:
(1) Awarded psc/pslsc or equivalent.
(2) Deployable to Staff/Comd appointments.
(3) Have stayed a minimum of 5 years for RCC and 6 years for SSCC, DRC and EC/SD/BC in the rank of Maj/ Lt Cdr/Sqn Ldr.
(4) Other conditions not mentioned here but covered by individual Service guidelines.
(b) Promotion to Col/Capt (NN)/Gp Capt. For an officer to be promoted to Col/Capt (NN)/Gp Capt, he must fulfill the following conditions:
(1) Awarded psc or equivalent.
(2) Eminently deployable.
(3) Have stayed a minimum of 5 years for RCC and 6 years for SSCC and DRC in the rank of Lt Col/Cdr/Wg Cdr.
(4) Fulfill other conditions that may be introduced by the individual Services from time to time”
