The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to stop placing civil servants on a mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave, saying the practice is not recognised under the Public Service Rules.
The directive was issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, in a circular sent to ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of government agencies and other senior public officials. The circular clarified how Public Service Rule 120243 should be applied to officers approaching retirement.
According to the circular, the rule requires retiring officers to give three months’ notice before leaving service, attend a pre-retirement seminar during the first month, and use the remaining period to complete pension and service record documentation. The government said some MDAs had wrongly treated the notice period as automatic leave, leading to officers leaving their duties before their official retirement dates.
Walson-Jack said there is no provision in the Public Service Rules for a compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave.
“The so-called ‘mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave’ has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” she stated.
She explained that the three-month period is a notice requirement and not a leave entitlement.
“A retiring officer must give three months’ notice before their effective date of retirement. This is a notice requirement, not a leave entitlement,” the circular stated.
The Head of Service said officers due for retirement remain in service throughout the notice period and should continue carrying out their responsibilities except when attending approved pre-retirement programmes or when granted leave under existing rules.
“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 has therefore instructed MDAs not to compel officers to leave their posts before their official retirement dates. Retiring workers are expected to continue their duties while also taking part in approved retirement programmes and completing pension-related documentation.
The circular also directed permanent secretaries, directors-general, executive secretaries and heads of government organisations to ensure all staff are informed and that the directive is fully implemented.
The clarification is expected to affect many federal civil servants nearing retirement. For years, some government institutions allowed workers to stop reporting for duty after submitting retirement notices, based on the belief that the notice period amounted to leave.
The government said the new guidance is aimed at ensuring uniform application of the Public Service Rules and preventing the early loss of experienced personnel from the public service. It also believes the measure will help maintain productivity while officers prepare for retirement and complete pension processing requirements.
Ademide Adebayo
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