FG Abolishes Mandatory Three-Month Pre-Retirement Leave for Civil Servants

The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to discontinue the practice of placing civil servants on compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave, declaring that such a provision does not exist in the Public Service Rules.

The directive, issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, seeks to correct what government described as a widespread misinterpretation of retirement procedures within the federal public service.

In a circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” Walson-Jack stated that several government institutions had erroneously treated the mandatory three-month retirement notice period as a leave entitlement, resulting in officers being withdrawn from active service months before their official retirement dates.

The circular was addressed to Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Service Chiefs, Heads of Government Agencies and other senior public officials responsible for personnel management.

According to the Head of Service, Rule 120243 only requires officers approaching retirement to provide a three-month notice before leaving service, participate in a one-month pre-retirement seminar or workshop and use the remaining period to reconcile service records and complete pension documentation.

She emphasized that the notice period was never intended to serve as a leave arrangement.

“The so-called mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” the circular stated.

“A retiring officer must give three months’ notice before the effective date of retirement. This is a notice requirement, not a leave entitlement.”

Walson-Jack further clarified that retiring officers remain full members of staff throughout the notice period and are expected to continue carrying out their official responsibilities unless they are attending approved retirement programmes or are absent under existing leave regulations. She directed all MDAs to immediately stop the practice of asking officers to vacate their positions ahead of their official retirement dates.

Under the revised interpretation, retiring officers will continue to contribute their expertise and institutional knowledge while simultaneously participating in retirement preparation programmes and completing documentation required for pension processing.

Government officials say the clarification is expected to improve productivity and service delivery by ensuring that experienced personnel remain available until their lawful exit dates.

The Head of Service also instructed Permanent Secretaries, Directors-General, Executive Secretaries, Chief Executives and Heads of statutory agencies to ensure strict compliance with the directive.

Nigeria’s public service retirement framework, governed by the Public Service Rules and the Pension Reform Act, mandates retirement after 35 years of service or upon attaining the age of 60 years, whichever comes first.

Officials believe the move will eliminate inconsistencies in retirement administration while helping government institutions retain valuable experience until the final day of service.