The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally abolished the long-standing practice of placing federal civil servants on a compulsory three-month terminal leave ahead of retirement, clarifying that such an arrangement has no legal backing under the Public Service Rules.
The policy shift was communicated through an official circular issued by the Didi Walson-Jack, directing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately stop withdrawing officers from duty before their effective retirement dates. The clarification follows concerns that widespread misinterpretation of existing rules had led to the premature disengagement of experienced personnel across the public service.
The circular explains that the three-month period preceding retirement is strictly a notice window rather than an entitlement to absence from work. During this timeframe, officers approaching retirement are expected to formally notify their employers, attend an approved pre-retirement workshop lasting one month, and use the remaining period to reconcile service records and pension documentation while still actively discharging their official responsibilities.
According to the directive, only attendance at sanctioned retirement seminars or leave approved under existing regulations justifies temporary absence from duty. Outside these provisions, retiring officers are to remain fully engaged in their roles until their official exit from service. This clarification aims to ensure uniform application of the Public Service Rules across MDAs.
Brandspur Politics reports that the decision is expected to affect thousands of federal workers annually, particularly those nearing retirement age or the 35-year service threshold. For years, many MDAs treated the notice period as an automatic terminal leave, resulting in reduced manpower and operational gaps within government institutions.
Officials believe the new approach will strengthen service delivery by retaining skilled officers until their retirement dates, while also improving pension processing through early and structured documentation. Under Nigeria’s civil service framework, retirement occurs at 60 years of age or after 35 years of service, whichever comes first, with persistent delays in pension administration remaining a major concern.
The latest directive seeks to eliminate ambiguity, standardise retirement procedures nationwide, and ensure that experienced public servants continue contributing to government operations until their final day in office.
