The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to end the practice of placing civil servants on a compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave.
According to an announcement released by the National Orientation Agency, the directive was contained in a circular issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack and circulated to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs and heads of government agencies.
The circular, titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” stated that what is widely known as terminal leave stems from an incorrect interpretation of the retirement notice requirement.
Walson-Jack explained that the rules only require officers approaching retirement to provide three months’ notice before leaving service, participate in a one-month pre-retirement workshop or seminar, and utilise the remaining period to complete pension and service-related documentation.
She stressed that the practice of granting a three-month terminal leave “has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” noting that officers due for retirement remain in service throughout the notice period except when attending approved programmes or taking leave permitted under existing regulations.
The circular directed MDAs to stop compelling officers to vacate their offices before their official retirement dates, warning that the practice has resulted in the early exit of experienced personnel from the public service.
The Federal Government said the clarification is intended to create uniform retirement procedures across government agencies, enhance service delivery and ensure retiring officers complete all required documentation while remaining available for official duties.
Under Nigeria’s Public Service Rules and the Pension Reform Act, civil servants are expected to retire after 35 years in service or upon attaining 60 years of age, whichever comes first.