FG abolishes mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave for Civil Servants

The Federal Government has scrapped the practice of placing civil servants on a mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave, describing it as a misinterpretation of the Public Service Rules.

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 top government officials.

According to the circular, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are to immediately discontinue the practice of withdrawing officers from duty three months before retirement, noting that such a policy has no backing in the Public Service Rules.

Walson-Jack explained that what exists in the rules is not a leave entitlement but a notice requirement, which mandates retiring officers to give three months’ notice ahead of their exit from service.

She clarified that under the Public Service Rule 120243, officers due for retirement are expected to attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop or seminar, while the remaining period is to be used for documentation and pension-related processes.

“The so-called ‘mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave’ has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” she stated.

The circular further emphasised that retiring officers remain active public servants during the notice period and are expected to continue performing their official duties, except when attending approved workshops or granted legitimate leave under existing regulations.

It directed all MDAs to stop compelling officers to vacate their positions before their official retirement dates, adding that such actions have contributed to manpower shortages and loss of experienced personnel in the civil service.

The government explained that the new clarification aims to standardise implementation of the rules across MDAs, improve service delivery, and ensure that retiring officers remain productive until their final day in service while completing all necessary pension documentation.