The Federal Government has directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to stop placing civil servants on a compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave, declaring that the practice has no basis in the Public Service Rules.
The directive was issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, through a circular sent to ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of agencies and other senior public officials.
The circular clarified the correct interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243, which governs procedures for officers approaching retirement.
It stated that retiring officers are required to give three months’ notice before exiting service, attend a pre-retirement seminar within the first month, and use the remaining period to complete pension and service record processes.
However, Walson-Jack said some MDAs had wrongly interpreted the notice period as automatic leave, allowing officers to stop working before their official retirement dates.
“There is no provision in the Public Service Rules for a compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave,” she stated.
She further explained that the three-month period is strictly 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 said.
According to her, officers due for retirement remain in active service throughout the notice period and are expected to continue performing their duties except when attending approved retirement programmes or 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 statement added.
The government instructed MDAs to ensure that no officer is compelled to leave duty before their official retirement date, stressing that all retiring workers must continue their responsibilities while completing documentation and pension processes.
Permanent secretaries, directors-general, executive secretaries and agency heads were also directed to circulate and enforce the new guideline across all departments.
The clarification is expected to affect numerous federal civil servants nearing retirement, particularly in institutions where officers previously stopped reporting after submitting retirement notices.
The government said the new policy aims to standardise interpretation of the Public Service Rules, prevent early exit of experienced personnel, and maintain productivity within the civil service while workers transition into retirement.
