The federal government of Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu, has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to discontinue the practice of granting civil servants a mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave. The directive, issued in a circular by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, clarifies that such leave is not recognized under the Public Service Rules.
Circular Clarifies Retirement Notice as Requirement, Not Entitlement
The circular states that Public Service Rule 120243 requires officers approaching retirement to give three months' notice, attend a one-month pre-retirement seminar, and use the remaining period to complete pension and service record documentation. However, this notice requirement has been misinterpreted by many MDAs as an automatic leave, prompting the clarification.
Walson-Jack emphasized, "The so-called 'mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave' has no basis in the Public Service Rules. A retiring officer must give three months' notice before their effective date of retirement. This is a notice requirement, not a leave entitlement."
Retiring Officers Must Remain at Work
The circular further explains that retiring officers remain in active service throughout the notice period and are expected to continue performing their duties, except when attending approved retirement workshops or when granted leave under existing regulations. This move aims to retain experienced personnel until their official retirement dates.
MDAs Ordered to Comply
All MDAs have been directed to stop asking officers due for retirement to vacate their positions before their official exit dates. Strict compliance with the clarified rule is expected to standardize retirement procedures across the public service.
The decision has been welcomed as a measure to ensure continuity and retain expertise within the civil service, preventing the loss of skilled personnel before their formal retirement. The circular was sent to senior government officials across all MDAs.
