Federal Government Abolishes Three-Month Terminal Leave for Civil Servants
The Federal Government has officially ended the long-standing practice of granting civil servants a mandatory three-month terminal leave before retirement, clarifying that such a provision is not contained in the Public Service Rules.
The directive was issued through a circular signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, and circulated to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) across the country. The move is aimed at correcting what the government described as a widespread misinterpretation of retirement regulations.
According to the circular, the Public Service Rules require officers approaching retirement to provide a three-month notice before leaving service. However, the notice period should not be mistaken for an automatic leave entitlement. The government explained that retiring officers are expected to remain in active service during this period, except when attending approved pre-retirement seminars or when granted leave under existing regulations.
The clarification addresses a practice that has existed in many MDAs for years, where workers due for retirement were often asked to stop reporting for duty months before their official exit dates. Under the new directive, such arrangements have been discontinued, and affected officers are expected to continue carrying out their responsibilities until their retirement becomes effective.
The government further noted that the three-month period should be used for important administrative processes, including participation in pre-retirement workshops, verification of service records, and completion of pension documentation. This, it said, would ensure a smoother transition from active service to retirement while maintaining productivity within the civil service.
Officials believe the policy will help prevent the premature loss of experienced personnel and improve service delivery across government institutions. The directive also seeks to establish a uniform interpretation of retirement procedures across all federal agencies.
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The latest reform comes amid broader efforts by the Federal Government to improve the welfare and retirement benefits of public servants, including the recent approval of a gratuity scheme for eligible retiring federal workers.
