Nigeria ends mandatory three‑month pre‑retirement leave

The Federal Government has directed all ministries, departments, and agencies to immediately stop the long-standing practice of placing civil servants on a mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave. The directive, issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, clarifies that this practice has no basis in the Public Service Rules.

In a circular titled "Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities," Walson-Jack stated that several government institutions have for years misinterpreted the mandatory three-month retirement notice period as an automatic leave entitlement. This has resulted in officers being withdrawn from active service before their official retirement dates. The circular was addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, and heads of agencies.

The Head of Service explained that Rule 120243 establishes three distinct requirements for officers approaching retirement. They must give three months' notice before their effective retirement date, attend an approved pre-retirement workshop or seminar during the first month, and use the remaining period to reconcile service records and...