The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately stop the practice of placing retiring civil servants on a compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave, declaring that such a policy is not recognized under the Public Service Rules.
The directive was issued through a circular signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, in Abuja on June 2, 2026.
According to the circular, several MDAs had wrongly interpreted the mandatory three-month retirement notice period as an automatic leave entitlement, resulting in officers being disengaged from their duties before their official retirement dates. This practice reportedly caused staffing disruptions and complications in pension documentation processes across the federal civil service.
Walson-Jack clarified that the so-called mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave has no basis in the Public Service Rules. She explained that retiring officers are only required to give three months’ notice before retirement, attend a one-month pre-retirement seminar, and complete all necessary documentation while still actively serving.
She emphasized that officers remain full public servants throughout the notice period and are expected to continue carrying out their official responsibilities, except when attending approved retirement seminars.
“The three-month period is a notice requirement, not a leave entitlement,” the circular stated, stressing that the transition period should not be treated as an early exit from service.
The clarification comes after years of inconsistent implementation of retirement procedures across various MDAs, where many officers were routinely asked to vacate their positions before their official retirement dates. Such practices have often been blamed for service gaps, administrative inefficiencies, and delays in pension processing.
Stakeholders and workers have welcomed the move, arguing that it will strengthen accountability, improve service continuity, and ensure retiring officers contribute fully until their final day in office.
The development also revives long-standing discussions about retirement administration within Nigeria’s civil service, as labour unions have repeatedly raised concerns over uneven enforcement of rules governing retirement, pension processing, and exit procedures across government agencies.
Published by Ejoh Caleb
