Federal Government Moves To End Pre-Retirement Leave Policy, Sparks Reactions

The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to discontinue the practice of placing civil servants on a widely observed three-month pre-retirement leave, stating that the arrangement is not provided for under the Public Service Rules.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The directive was issued in a circular signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, and circulated to ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of agencies, service chiefs, and other senior officials within the federal public service.

According to the circular, several MDAs have been incorrectly interpreting the mandatory three-month retirement notice period as an automatic leave period, resulting in officers vacating their duties before their official retirement date.

The Head of Service clarified that Public Service Rule 120243 only requires retiring officers to give a three-month notice prior to exit from service. During this period, affected staff are expected to attend a one-month pre-retirement seminar, while also using the remaining time to conclude pension processes and update their service records.

The government emphasized that there is no provision in the Public Service Rules granting retiring officers automatic leave during the notice period. Instead, employees are expected to remain in active service and continue their official duties unless otherwise permitted under approved leave arrangements or assigned retirement-related programs.

The circular further explained that the three-month notice period is primarily intended as a transition window to help officers prepare for retirement while ensuring continuity in public service operations.

Following this clarification, all MDAs have been instructed to stop requiring officers nearing retirement to step aside before their official retirement dates.

Agencies are now expected to ensure that affected workers continue performing their duties, participate in approved retirement seminars, and complete all pension documentation while still in active service.