The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately stop placing civil servants on the widely practised three-month pre-retirement leave, stating that no such provision exists in Nigeria’s Public Service Rules.

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‎The directive was issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, in a circular addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of government agencies, service chiefs and other senior public officials. The clarification seeks to end decades of varying interpretations that allowed retiring officers to leave active duty months before their official retirement dates.

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‎According to the circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” the three-month period before retirement is a statutory notice window rather than an entitlement to leave.

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‎Walson-Jack explained that Public Service Rule 120243 requires officers approaching retirement to provide three months’ notice, participate in a one-month pre-retirement seminar, and use the remaining period to complete pension documentation and service record verification.

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‎”The so-called mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” the Head of Service stated.

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‎Under the revised interpretation, retiring officers are expected to continue performing their official duties throughout the notice period except when attending approved retirement workshops or when granted leave under existing regulations.

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‎The government said the move is intended to standardise the application of public service regulations across federal institutions and prevent the premature loss of experienced personnel whose expertise remains valuable until their official retirement dates.

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‎For years, many MDAs treated the notice period as an automatic leave arrangement, often requiring officers to stop reporting for work immediately after submitting retirement notices. As a result, thousands of experienced civil servants effectively exited service months before their formal retirement.

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‎The new directive requires ministries and agencies to ensure that retiring officers remain actively engaged in their roles while simultaneously completing retirement documentation and pension-related processes.

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‎Permanent secretaries, directors-general, executive secretaries, chief executives and heads of statutory agencies have also been instructed to communicate the directive to all staff members and ensure strict compliance.

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‎The clarification is expected to affect thousands of federal workers who retire annually under Nigeria’s civil service rules, which mandate retirement at age 60 or after 35 years of service, whichever comes first.

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‎Government officials believe the measure will strengthen service delivery, improve workforce continuity and ensure that retiring officers continue contributing their experience while preparing for life after public service.

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‎The directive also addresses long-standing challenges associated with pension processing and personnel record reconciliation, issues that have historically affected many retiring civil servants.

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‎By clarifying that the three-month period is primarily a notice and administrative preparation window rather than an automatic leave entitlement, the Federal Government aims to eliminate ambiguity and establish a uniform retirement process across the public service.

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