The Federal Government has abolished the practice of granting a mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave to civil servants, directing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to discontinue the policy with immediate effect.
The directive was issued in a circular signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, and addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of government agencies, service chiefs, and other senior public officials.
According to the circular, the so-called three-month pre-retirement leave has no basis in the Public Service Rules and arose from a misinterpretation of existing provisions governing retirement procedures.
Walson-Jack explained that the Public Service Rules only require officers approaching retirement to give three months’ notice before their retirement date, attend a one-month pre-retirement seminar, and use the remaining period to regularise service records and pension documentation.
She stressed that retiring officers remain in active service throughout the notice period and are expected to continue performing their official duties unless they are attending approved retirement programmes or are on authorised leave.
Related Posts:
“A retiring officer must give three months’ notice before their effective date of retirement. This is a notice requirement, not a leave entitlement,” the circular stated.
The Head of Service noted that the directive is intended to standardise the implementation of the Public Service Rules and prevent the loss of experienced personnel through premature disengagement.
Under the new arrangement, MDAs are required to ensure that officers due for retirement continue to discharge their responsibilities while completing all necessary pension and service record documentation before their exit dates.
The circular also directed permanent secretaries, directors-general, executive secretaries, chairpersons of statutory agencies, and heads of government organisations to ensure full compliance across the public service.
The Federal Government said the measure is expected to improve service delivery by enabling retiring officers to continue contributing their expertise until their official retirement dates while completing administrative requirements for a seamless transition out of service.
