By Abigail David
The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to discontinue the practice of placing civil servants on a mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave, stating that such a provision does not exist in the Public Service Rules.
The directive was issued in a circular by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, and addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs and heads of government agencies.
Titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” the circular clarified that the three-month period before retirement is a notice and administrative preparation window, not an automatic leave entitlement.
According to Walson-Jack, several MDAs had wrongly interpreted the rule by directing officers due for retirement to stop reporting for duty before their official exit dates.
She explained that Public Service Rule 120243 only requires retiring officers to give three months’ notice, attend a one-month pre-retirement seminar or workshop, and use the remaining period to regularise service records and pension documentation.
“The so-called mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” the Head of Service stated.
The circular emphasised that officers remain active public servants throughout the notice period and are expected to continue performing their official duties unless they are attending approved retirement programmes or have been granted leave under existing regulations.
Consequently, all MDAs have been directed to stop compelling retiring officers to vacate their positions before their official retirement dates.
Under the new directive, retiring officers are expected to continue discharging their responsibilities while completing pension documentation and other retirement-related processes.
The government said the clarification would standardise the implementation of Public Service Rules across federal institutions and prevent the loss of experienced personnel before their official retirement.
The move is also expected to improve service delivery by ensuring that retiring officers continue contributing their expertise until the end of their tenure.
Under Nigeria’s public service regulations, civil servants retire upon attaining 60 years of age or completing 35 years in service, whichever comes first.
