Federal Government discontinues mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave for civil servants

This directive was issued in a circular by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, to top government officials. The circular, titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” clarifies that many MDAs have wrongly interpreted the retirement notice period as an automatic leave period, leading to the premature withdrawal of officers from active service. According to Walson-Jack, Public Service Rule 120243 requires officers due for retirement to give three months’ notice, attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop or seminar, and use the remaining period to regularise service records and pension documentation.

She emphasized that the three-month period is a notice requirement, not a leave entitlement, and retiring officers must continue performing their duties unless attending approved workshops or granted leave under existing regulations. All MDAs are now required to ensure retiring officers continue their responsibilities, participate in pre-retirement programs, and complete all necessary documentation before their official retirement dates. This clarification aims to standardize the implementation of Public Service Rules, prevent loss of manpower from ear