The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately discontinue the practice of placing civil servants on mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave, clarifying that such a provision does not exist in the Public Service Rules (PSR).
The directive was contained in a circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, and addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, heads of agencies, and other senior public officials.
According to the circular, several MDAs have been wrongly interpreting the three-month retirement notice period as an automatic leave period, resulting in the premature withdrawal of officers from active service before their official retirement dates.
Walson-Jack explained that Public Service Rule 120243 only requires officers approaching retirement to provide a three-month notice before their exit date, attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop or seminar, and use the remaining period to complete pension processing and service record documentation.
She emphasized that the rule does not grant retiring officers an automatic leave of absence and that the three-month period is intended primarily for administrative preparations ahead of retirement.
“The so-called mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” she stated.
The Head of Service noted that retiring officers remain active public servants throughout the notice period and are expected to continue carrying out their official responsibilities unless they are attending approved pre-retirement programmes or have been granted leave under existing regulations.
She further clarified that the notice requirement should not be mistaken for a leave entitlement, stressing that officers are only permitted to be absent from work while participating in approved retirement workshops or when otherwise authorized under established leave provisions.
In line with the directive, all MDAs have been instructed to stop compelling retiring officers to vacate their positions before their official retirement dates.
The government directed ministries and agencies to ensure that officers due for retirement continue performing their duties, participate in approved pre-retirement activities, and complete all necessary pension and service record reconciliations before leaving service.
Nigeria’s federal civil service retirement system, governed by the Public Service Rules and the Pension Reform Act, requires public servants to retire upon attaining 60 years of age or after 35 years of service, whichever comes first.
The government said the directive is aimed at promoting a uniform interpretation of the Public Service Rules, preventing the loss of experienced personnel before their retirement dates, and improving service delivery across government institutions.
The circular also directed permanent secretaries, directors-general, executive secretaries, chairpersons of statutory agencies, and chief executives of government organizations to ensure that all staff members are informed of the directive and that strict compliance is maintained.
According to the government, the measure will enable retiring officers to continue contributing their expertise until their official exit from service while completing all necessary retirement and pension documentation.
FG Abolishes Mandatory Three-Month Pre-Retirement Leave for Civil Servants
