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 issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, through a circular addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, heads of agencies and other senior government officials.

In the circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” Walson-Jack noted that several MDAs had wrongly interpreted the three-month retirement notice period as an automatic leave entitlement, resulting in the premature withdrawal of officers from active service.

According to her, Public Service Rule 120243 only requires officers approaching retirement to provide three months’ notice, attend a one-month pre-retirement seminar or workshop, and utilise the remaining period to regularise service records and pension documentation.

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

She explained that the rule establishes three separate obligations: notification of retirement, participation in approved pre-retirement programmes, and completion of administrative requirements before retirement.

The circular emphasised that retiring officers remain full public servants throughout the notice period and are expected to continue performing their official duties unless attending approved workshops or granted leave under existing regulations.

“PSR 120243 does not exempt retiring officers from official duties during the notice period, except where they are attending an approved pre-retirement workshop or seminar, or are otherwise authorised to be absent under extant leave rules,” the circular stated.

As a result, all MDAs have been directed to stop compelling officers due for retirement to vacate their offices before their official retirement dates.

Under the directive, retiring officers are expected to continue discharging their responsibilities while simultaneously participating in approved retirement preparation programmes and completing pension documentation processes.

The Head of Service also instructed permanent secretaries, directors-general, executive secretaries, chairpersons of statutory agencies and chief executives of government organisations to ensure strict compliance with the new directive.

The clarification is expected to impact thousands of federal civil servants approaching retirement annually.

For years, many government institutions treated the three-month notice period as a form of extended leave, often directing officers to stop reporting for work immediately after submitting retirement notices. The new directive seeks to standardise implementation of the Public Service Rules and prevent the loss of experienced manpower before official retirement dates.

The Federal Government believes the measure will improve service delivery by allowing retiring officers to continue contributing their expertise while completing retirement and pension documentation.

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Stakeholders across Nigeria’s public and private sectors have renewed calls for stronger collaboration to accelerate sustainable development and economic growth.

The call was made during a fireside chat and breakfast session with the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, themed “Advancing Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Governance.”

The event, organised by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation in collaboration with Philips Consulting Limited, brought together senior government officials and private sector leaders to explore ways of strengthening governance and boosting national productivity.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of Philips Consulting, Foluso Phillips, described the gathering as a critical meeting point for aligning public service goals with private sector expectations.

“No country grows sustainably without a strong public service, and no economy thrives without a vibrant private sector. Alignment between both is essential,” he said.

Phillips noted that the platform enabled both sectors to share ideas, align priorities, and shape policies that can drive transformational impact on Nigeria’s economy.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Walson-Jack said ongoing reforms are repositioning the Federal Civil Service to become more efficient, transparent, and business-friendly.

She highlighted improvements in regulatory processes, service delivery speed, and digital transformation, noting that these changes are designed to support businesses and improve citizens’ quality of life.

“In today’s Civil Service, we are seeing predictable regulations, faster processes, and improved efficiency. These reforms will impact infrastructure, healthcare, digital inclusion, and justice delivery,” she said.

The Head of Service also revealed that the government is leveraging emerging technologies, including a Service-Wide GPT platform, to enhance access to key policy documents and improve decision-making across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

She added that initiatives such as performance management systems, personnel audits, and skills gap analysis are being implemented to build a world-class Civil Service capable of driving national development.

Addressing concerns from private sector leaders, Walson-Jack assured that staff welfare and working conditions, including housing and transportation, are under review to attract and retain talent.

She further disclosed that the upcoming International Civil Service Conference, scheduled for May 20–21, 2026, will provide another platform to deepen public-private collaboration.

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The Federal Executive Council has approved a new exit benefit scheme that will grant retiring federal civil servants a gratuity equivalent to 100 percent of their total annual emoluments.

The new policy, which took effect from January 1, 2026, is designed to strengthen the welfare structure within Nigeria’s federal civil service and provide improved financial security for retiring officers who have served the nation for at least ten years.

Details of the approval were disclosed in a statement issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

According to the statement, the gratuity scheme was introduced following recommendations made by an inter-ministerial technical committee established to review retirement benefits for federal workers.

The committee worked closely with key government institutions including the National Pension Commission, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to develop a sustainable structure for implementing the benefit.

Strengthening retirement benefits

Under the newly approved scheme, eligible federal civil servants will receive a lump-sum gratuity equal to their total annual salary and allowances upon retirement.

Officials said the initiative is intended to complement the existing pension framework while ensuring that civil servants who dedicate years of service to the government retire with improved financial support.

The scheme will apply to employees working in treasury-funded ministries, extra-ministerial departments and agencies across the federal government.

Authorities noted that the move represents a significant step toward strengthening retirement income security for public servants.

Government officials believe the initiative will boost morale within the civil service and reassure workers of the government’s commitment to their welfare.

Recognition of civil servants’ contributions

Reacting to the development, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, commended the council for approving the policy.

She described the new exit benefit as a landmark decision that recognises the dedication and sacrifices made by federal civil servants over the years.

According to her, the approval demonstrates that the administration of President Bola Tinubu acknowledges the role played by public servants in national development.

“This approval is a profound acknowledgement of the invaluable contributions of our civil servants who have devoted their productive years to public service and national development,” she said.

Walson-Jack added that the introduction of the gratuity scheme would significantly improve retirement packages for government workers while reinforcing confidence in the federal government’s commitment to civil service welfare.

She also noted that the new policy forms part of ongoing reforms aimed at building a more efficient, motivated and performance-driven public service.

Civil service reform and motivation

Experts say improved welfare packages for government workers often contribute to increased productivity, better morale and enhanced professionalism within the public sector.

By strengthening retirement benefits, policymakers hope to encourage long-term commitment among civil servants and attract skilled professionals into government service.

The reintroduction of gratuity also marks a significant policy shift within Nigeria’s public sector retirement framework.

Nigeria moved away from the traditional gratuity system in 2004 when the government introduced the Contributory Pension Scheme to address challenges associated with pension liabilities and payment delays.

The new scheme approved by the council does not replace the existing pension system but rather complements it by providing an additional financial cushion for retirees.

Implementation guidelines underway

Government officials said detailed guidelines for implementing the scheme would be issued in due course to ensure smooth rollout across federal institutions.

Authorities are also expected to clarify operational procedures, eligibility conditions and payment structures for beneficiaries.

Observers say the policy could help restore confidence among civil servants who have long raised concerns about retirement benefits and pension security.

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The Federal Government has honoured 18 outstanding civil servants with a range of rewards, including SUVs, laptops, cash prizes, and professional development opportunities. These awards recognize their dedication and exceptional service to the nation.

The award ceremony took place on Saturday night at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. In addition to the 18 individuals, two Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) were also acknowledged for promoting excellence in public service.

Speaking at the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, described the honourees as “unsung heroes” who keep the public service running smoothly. She noted that this awards night marked the end of Civil Service Week, which included the first-ever International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) held in Abuja.

She praised the recipients as “quiet reformers” who show discipline, meet deadlines, write policies, and improve systems while maintaining a positive attitude. She stressed the importance of recognising these workers, saying, “We see you. We thank you. We honour you.”

Walson-Jack also explained that the awards ceremony is now a permanent part of the civil service calendar. It serves as a platform to celebrate those whose efforts often go unnoticed.

She highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s support for civil service reforms. She said his Renewed Hope Agenda shows a strong commitment to fairness, innovation, and reward. His presence at the recent ICSC opening further demonstrated his dedication to transforming the civil service.

She praised ongoing reforms such as the new minimum wage, pension improvements, digitisation, and better welfare packages. She also stressed the importance of punctuality, calling on civil servants to treat the 8 a.m. resumption time as a culture of respect.

She encouraged those who were not recognised this year to continue working hard, saying, “Recognition may take time, but it will come. Do your work so well that it cannot be ignored.”

Walson-Jack expressed concern about MDAs that did not submit nominations or sent in unqualified candidates. She urged them to take future editions more seriously.

Among the awardees, Dr. Bahijjatu Hadiza from the Federal Ministry of Environment received the presidential star prize, which included an SUV, laptop, plaque, award certificate, a foreign short course, and a masterclass opportunity.

Chukwudi Ekwenugo from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy received an SUV, ₦500,000 cash, a laptop, and similar training opportunities.

Other recipients got laptops, cash prizes ranging from ₦250,000 to ₦500,000, housing benefits, and professional development packages.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented President Tinubu, praised the resilience and commitment of Nigerian civil servants. He described them as the backbone of governance and national development.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a public service based on merit, innovation, and accountability.

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