The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to stop placing civil servants on mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave, clarifying that the practice is not recognised under the Public Service Rules.

The directive was issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, in a circular addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs and heads of government agencies.

FG Clarifies Public Service Rule

In the circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” Walson-Jack said several MDAs had wrongly interpreted the retirement notice period as automatic leave, resulting in officers leaving their posts before their official retirement dates.

She explained that the rule only requires civil servants approaching retirement to provide three months’ notice, attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop or seminar, and complete pension and documentation processes before retirement.

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

Retiring Officers Must Remain on Duty

According to the Head of Service, the three-month period is strictly a notice requirement and should not be treated as a leave entitlement.

She noted that retiring officers are expected to continue carrying out their official responsibilities during the period, except when attending approved pre-retirement seminars or when granted leave under existing regulations.

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

The directive further stressed that officers remain active members of the service until their official retirement date.

MDAs Directed to Comply

Walson-Jack instructed permanent secretaries, directors-general, chief executives and heads of agencies to ensure full compliance with the clarification.

Under the new directive, retiring civil servants are expected to remain at work while completing pension documentation, reconciling records and attending approved retirement programmes.

The clarification is expected to affect thousands of federal workers approaching retirement each year, as many MDAs had previously treated the notice period as a form of pre-retirement leave.

Retirement in Nigeria’s federal civil service is based on either attaining 60 years of age or completing 35 years of service, whichever comes first.