The officer and executive cadres in public service and the qualifications that go with same and other related terms: conversion, maturity

OFFICER

B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D

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EXECUTIVE

S.S.C.E., O.N.D., N.C.E., H.N.D.

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CONVERSION

I From CLERICAL – EXECUTIVE
II. From EXECUTIVE – OFFICER

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MATURITY

A. GL.15 -16 – 4YRS – OFFICER
B. GL.07-14 -3YRS – CLERICAL/EXECUTIVE/OFFICER
C. GL.06 – 2YRS – CLERICAL/A.E.O

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1. Cadre

In the Civil Service, a cadre means:

A structured career group or professional line within the public service, into which officers are recruited and within which they progress throughout their service life.

In simple terms, a cadre is your career path in government service.

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2. What a Cadre Represents

A cadre defines:

• The type of job an officer does
• The officer’s professional identity in service
• The entry qualification required
• The grade level of entry
• The promotion ladder
• The maximum level attainable
• The training and specialization path

Once recruited into a cadre, an officer normally remains in that cadre until retirement (except by approved conversion or transfer).

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3. Why Cadres Exist

Cadres exist to:

• Ensure order and structure in manpower management
• Group officers by skills and functions
• Create clear promotion pathways
• Maintain professional standards
• Aid in posting, deployment, and training

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4. Major Categories of Cadres

Cadres in the Nigerian Civil Service broadly fall into three groups:

(a) Administrative Cadres

These handle general management and policy coordination.

Examples:

• Administrative Officer Cadre
• Executive Officer (General Duties) Cadre
• Clerical Cadre
• Secretarial Cadre

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(b) Professional / Technical Cadres

These require specialized education or professional training.

Examples:

• Accounting Cadre
• Audit Cadre
• Engineering Cadres
• Medical Cadres
• Legal Cadre
• Education Cadre
• Statistics Cadre
• Library Cadre
• Information Officer Cadre
• Procurement Cadre

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(c) Allied / Support Cadres

These provide operational and support services.

Examples:

• Store Officer Cadre
• Transport Officer Cadre
• Works Superintendent Cadre
• Craftsman Cadres
• Driver Cadre

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5. Entry into a Cadre

Entry into a cadre depends on:

• Educational qualification
• Professional certification
• Vacancy availability
• Civil Service Commission approval

Examples:

• HND/BSc → Administrative Officer II, Accountant II, Engineer II
• NCE → Education Officer II
• ND → Executive Officer II
• SSCE → Clerical Officer, Typist

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6. Movement Within and Between Cadres

(a) Normal Progression

An officer progresses within the same cadre through promotions.

Example:
Administrative Officer II → Administrative Officer I → Senior Administrative Officer → Assistant Director → Director

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(b) Conversion or Transfer of Cadre

An officer may move to another cadre only through formal conversion, usually when:

• The officer acquires a new qualification
• A vacancy exists
• Approval is granted by the Civil Service Commission

Example:
Executive Officer → Administrative Officer (after obtaining a degree)

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7. Difference Between Cadre and Related Terms

Term	Meaning
Cadre	Career group / professional line
Grade Level	Salary and hierarchy level
Rank / Post	Current designation
Designation	Job title
Department	Place of posting
Ministry	Parent organization

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8. Importance of Cadre in Administration

Cadre determines:

• How far you can rise in service
• Your posting suitability
• Your eligibility for training
• Your promotion interval
• Your career development plan
• Your retirement position

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9. Simple Example

If a person is employed as:

Accountant II (GL 08)
Cadre = Accounting Cadre

If later promoted to:

Senior Accountant (GL 12)
Cadre remains = Accounting Cadre

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