By Nnasom David
The federal government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to discontinue the practice of placing civil servants on a mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave, stating that such a provision is not recognised under the public service rules.
The directive was issued in a circular signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, and sent to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, heads of government agencies and other senior public officials.
In the circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities”, Walson-Jack said many MDAs had incorrectly treated the mandatory three-month retirement notice period as a leave entitlement, resulting in officers being withdrawn from service before their official retirement dates.
She clarified that the rule only requires officers approaching retirement to give three months’ notice, attend a one-month pre-retirement seminar and use the remaining period to complete documentation relating to their service records and pension benefits.
“The so-called ‘mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave’ has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” Walson-Jack stated.
She further explained that a retiring officer must give three months’ notice before their effective date of retirement. This is a notice requirement, not a leave entitlement.”
According to the Head of Service, retiring officers remain in active service throughout the notice period and are expected to continue carrying out their official responsibilities unless they are attending approved retirement programmes or have been 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 added.
The government consequently directed all MDAs to ensure strict compliance with the clarification, noting that retiring officers should remain at their duty posts until their official exit dates while completing all retirement and pension-related documentation.
The directive is expected to standardise the implementation of retirement procedures across the federal civil service and prevent the premature disengagement of experienced personnel from government institutions.
