LASG cautions staff against altering birth records

By Adeola Ogunrinde –

The Lagos State Government has announced a ban on requests by public servants to alter their official date of birth, warning that such actions will now be treated as serious misconduct.

In a circular with reference number CIR/HOS/125/Vol.1/063, sent to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), the government stated that only genuine errors in birth records would be corrected, and such adjustments would be made without penalties.

The circular, signed by the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, said the decision followed the discovery that many officers had submitted inconsistent and questionable documents to support requests for altering their official birth records. It stressed that maintaining accurate and reliable human resource information is the government’s responsibility.

Citing Public Service Rule 020108 (ii) of 2015, the government reminded staff that the date of birth recorded upon appointment “shall not be changed throughout the career of the officer” and that any contravention would be regarded as an act of serious misconduct.

The circular noted with concern the rise in requests for changes to birth records, often backed by documents that do not match those submitted at the point of entry into the service.

It clarified that while the Civil Service Commission is open to correcting genuine errors in birth records, it would not tolerate frivolous or fraudulent requests.

“Any frivolous request for a change of date of birth will be regarded as inappropriate and treated as an act of serious misconduct,” the circular warned.

The government urged all officers to adhere strictly to the rules to avoid disciplinary action.