The Federal Government has instructed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to stop placing civil servants on a compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave, stressing that such a practice is not provided for under the Public Service Rules.
The directive was conveyed in a circular issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, and addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, heads of agencies and other top 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 mandatory three-month retirement notice period as a leave entitlement, leading to officers being relieved of their duties before their official retirement dates.
She explained that the rule simply requires officers nearing retirement to submit a three-month notice, participate in a one-month pre-retirement seminar and use the remaining period to process service records and pension documentation.
According to her, the widely practised three-month pre-retirement leave has no backing in the Public Service Rules.
Walson-Jack clarified that the three-month period is strictly a notice requirement and should not be mistaken for leave.
She added that officers due for retirement are expected to remain in active service throughout the notice period and continue performing their duties, except when attending approved retirement programmes or when granted leave in line with existing regulations.
The circular further stated that Public Service Rule 120243 does not excuse retiring officers from work during the notice period unless they are participating in authorised pre-retirement workshops or have obtained approval for absence under applicable leave provisions.
The Federal Government therefore directed all MDAs to comply fully with the clarification, insisting that retiring officers must remain at their duty posts until their official retirement dates while completing all necessary retirement and pension processes.
