The Nigerian Army has suspended both statutory and voluntary retirements for specific categories of officers following the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.
An internal memo dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff explained that the decision is part of efforts to retain manpower, experience, and operational strength as the Armed Forces undergo rapid expansion to confront rising insecurity nationwide.
According to the document, which references the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, officers are normally expected to retire upon reaching age limits, completing 35 years in service, or after multiple promotion or conversion failures. However, Paragraph 3.10(e) of HTACOS provides room for service extension when it is deemed necessary for national security.
The memo stated:
“Military service for a commissioned officer covers an uninterrupted period from enlistment or commissioning up to retirement. The duration of service is guided by provisions in HTACOS Officers 2024, including age ceilings for each rank, a maximum of 35 years in service, and other criteria outlined in Paragraphs 11.02(d) and 17.15.”
It added that the current security emergency, declared by the President on November 26, makes it necessary to temporarily halt all retirements in order to rapidly boost the Army’s strength.
The suspension affects officers who:
failed promotion examinations three times;
were passed over three times at promotion boards;
have reached rank-specific age ceilings;
failed conversion boards three times;
or have completed 35 years of service.
Officers who do not wish to continue under the extension arrangement may proceed with the standard retirement process. However, those who opt for extension will not be eligible for promotions, career development courses, Army-sponsored training, self-sponsored courses, secondment, or extra-regimental appointments.
The memo further directed all commanders to circulate the policy across formations and handle any concerns among personnel, noting that the suspension will be reviewed once the security situation improves.
President Tinubu’s emergency declaration on November 26 directed the military, police, and intelligence agencies to expand recruitment and deploy thousands of additional personnel nationwide.
