By By Elizabeth Ugbo
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to stop placing retiring civil servants on mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave. The directive was issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, through a circular released in Abuja. The government acted to correct widespread misinterpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 and ensure retiring officers remain at work until their official retirement dates.
FG Clarifies Retirement Notice Rule
The Federal Government said the Public Service Rules do not provide for a mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave.
In a circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” Walson-Jack explained that many MDAs had misapplied the rule for years.
As a result, several agencies directed officers to stop reporting for duty immediately after submitting retirement notices. Consequently, many workers remained away from work during the three-month notice period.
However, the Head of Service said this practice has no legal basis.
“The so-called mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” she stated.
What Public Service Rule 120243 Says
According to Walson-Jack, Rule 120243 imposes three key obligations on retiring officers.
First, officers must submit a retirement notice three months before their retirement date.
Second, they must attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop or seminar.
Third, they must use the remaining period to reconcile service records and complete pension documentation.
She stressed that the three-month period serves as a notice and preparation window rather than a leave entitlement.
“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.
Retiring Officers Must Remain on Duty
The Head of Service emphasized that retiring officers remain public servants throughout the notice period.
Therefore, they must continue performing their official duties unless they attend approved retirement seminars or receive authorized leave.
“PSR 120243 does not exempt retiring officers from official duties during the notice period,” the circular added.
The government has directed all MDAs to stop forcing officers to vacate their offices before retirement.
Instead, agencies must ensure affected staff continue working while completing retirement-related documentation.
Why the Government Issued the Directive
The government believes the clarification will improve workforce management and service delivery.
For decades, different interpretations of the rule led to the early disengagement of experienced officers. Consequently, MDAs lost valuable expertise before retirement dates.
Officials said the new directive will help retain skilled personnel until the end of their service.
Additionally, it will allow officers to complete pension documentation without leaving their duties prematurely.
Impact on Federal Civil Servants
The directive is expected to affect thousands of federal civil servants approaching retirement annually.
Nigeria’s retirement framework requires public servants to retire at 60 years of age or after 35 years of service, whichever comes first.
Despite reforms, pension processing delays and record discrepancies remain major concerns.
To address these challenges, the government introduced pre-retirement seminars to prepare officers for life after service and guide them through pension procedures.
The latest directive removes uncertainty and establishes a uniform interpretation of the retirement notice rule across all MDAs.
MDAs Ordered to Ensure Compliance
Walson-Jack instructed permanent secretaries, directors-general, executive secretaries, agency chairpersons and chief executives to communicate the directive to all staff.
She also directed them to ensure full compliance across government institutions.
The government expects the measure to standardize retirement procedures, strengthen accountability and improve operational efficiency throughout the federal civil service.
