The federal government has directed ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to stop placing civil servants on a compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave.
According to Channels Television, the directive is contained in a circular titled ‘Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities’, issued by Didi Walson-Jack, head of the civil service of the federation.
The circular, addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, heads of agencies, and other senior public officials, clarified that the Public Service Rules (PSR) do not provide for a mandatory three-month leave before retirement.
Walson-Jack explained that some MDAs had wrongly interpreted the three-month retirement notice period as an automatic leave entitlement, leading to officers being asked to leave service before their official retirement date.
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She stated that Rule 120243 only requires officers nearing retirement to give a three-month notice, attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop or seminar, and use the remaining time to reconcile service records and complete pension documentation.
“The so-called mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” the circular reads.
“A retiring officer must give three months’ notice before the effective date of retirement. This is a notice requirement, not a leave entitlement.”
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Walson-Jack further clarified that officers remain in active service throughout the notice period and are expected to continue their duties, except when attending approved retirement programmes or taking leave under existing rules.
“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,” Walson-Jack was quoted as saying.
She directed all MDAs to ensure that retiring officers are not forced to vacate their positions before their official retirement dates.
Under the new directive, officers are to remain in service while participating in approved programmes and completing all requirements for pension processing.
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The head of service said the decision is aimed at ensuring uniform application of Public Service Rules across government institutions and preventing premature loss of experienced personnel.
She also instructed permanent secretaries, directors-general, and heads of agencies to strictly comply with the directive.
Nigeria’s civil service retirement system, guided by the Public Service Rules and the Pension Reform Act, requires workers to retire after 35 years of service or at the age of 60, whichever comes first.
The government said the clarification will help improve service delivery by allowing officers to contribute their expertise up to their official exit date while completing retirement procedures.