The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to discontinue the practice of placing civil servants on a compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave, clarifying that such a provision does not exist in the Public Service Rules.
This was contained in a circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities” issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, and addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, heads of government agencies and other senior public officials.
According to the circular obtained by News Round The Clock, many MDAs had been incorrectly treating the mandatory three-month retirement notice period as an automatic leave arrangement, resulting in experienced officers leaving active service earlier than required.
Walson-Jack explained that the Public Service Rules only require officers approaching retirement to provide three months’ notice before their retirement date, attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop or seminar, and use the remaining period to complete documentation relating to their service records and pension benefits.
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Nigeria’s federal civil service retirement system is guided by the Public Service Rules and the Pension Reform Act. Under the existing regulations, civil servants are required to retire either after attaining 60 years of age or upon completing 35 years of service, whichever comes first.
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The Head of Service said the directive was aimed at ensuring a uniform interpretation of the rules across government institutions and preventing the loss of manpower caused by the premature withdrawal of experienced personnel.
“The so-called ‘mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave’ has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” Walson-Jack stated.
She explained that Rule 120243 establishes three distinct requirements: a notice obligation, attendance at a pre-retirement seminar during the first month, and completion of retirement-related documentation during the remaining two months.
“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.
Walson-Jack further emphasised that officers due for retirement remain in active service throughout the notice period and are expected to continue carrying out their official responsibilities unless they are attending approved retirement programmes or have been granted leave under existing regulations.
“PSR 120243 does not exempt retiring officers from official duties during the notice period, except where they are attending an approved pre-retirement workshop or seminar, or are otherwise authorised to be absent under extant leave rules,” the circular added.
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Consequently, all MDAs have been instructed to stop requiring retiring officers to vacate their positions before their official retirement dates.
Under the revised directive, retiring officers are expected to continue performing their duties, participate in approved pre-retirement activities, and complete all pension-related and service record documentation before leaving the public service.
The circular seeks to remove long-standing uncertainty surrounding the interpretation of the three-month notice period, stressing that it should be regarded as a period for administrative preparation rather than automatic leave from duty.
Permanent secretaries, directors-general, executive secretaries, chairpersons of statutory agencies and chief executives of government organisations have also been directed to circulate the new guideline among staff and ensure full compliance.
The government believes the measure will strengthen service delivery by allowing retiring officers to continue contributing their experience and expertise until their official exit while also completing the processes required for seamless pension administration.
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