The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to stop the practice of placing civil servants on a mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave, saying the arrangement has no basis in the Public Service Rules.

The directive was issued in a circular by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, and addressed to top government officials across the federal public service.

In the circular, titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” Walson-Jack clarified that the rule only requires retiring officers to give three months’ notice, attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop, and use the remaining period to complete documentation and pension-related processes.

She stressed that the notice period is not a leave entitlement, noting that officers remain in active service until their official retirement date and are expected to continue performing their duties except when attending approved programmes.

“The so-called ‘mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave’ has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” the circular stated, adding that MDAs must immediately stop compelling officers to vacate their posts before retirement.

The directive further instructed permanent secretaries and agency heads to ensure full compliance and proper sensitisation of staff.

The clarification is expected to affect thousands of federal civil servants nearing retirement, a practice that has long been informally applied across MDAs.

 

The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to stop the practice of placing civil servants on a mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave, saying the arrangement has no basis in the Public Service Rules.

The directive was issued in a circular by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, and addressed to top government officials across the federal public service.

In the circular, titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” Walson-Jack clarified that the rule only requires retiring officers to give three months’ notice, attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop, and use the remaining period to complete documentation and pension-related processes.

She stressed that the notice period is not a leave entitlement, noting that officers remain in active service until their official retirement date and are expected to continue performing their duties except when attending approved programmes.

“The so-called ‘mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave’ has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” the circular stated, adding that MDAs must immediately stop compelling officers to vacate their posts before retirement.

The directive further instructed permanent secretaries and agency heads to ensure full compliance and proper sensitisation of staff.

The clarification is expected to affect thousands of federal civil servants nearing retirement, a practice that has long been informally applied across MDAs.