The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately discontinue the practice of placing civil servants on compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave, declaring that such a provision does not exist in the Public Service Rules. The directive was issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who clarified that officers approaching retirement are required to give notice and complete retirement-related procedures, but are not automatically exempted from official duties. The clarification is expected to affect thousands of federal workers approaching retirement and standardise the implementation of the pre-retirement leave process across government institutions.
For many years, numerous MDAs interpreted the retirement notice period required under the Public Service Rules as a form of mandatory leave. Under that practice, officers due for retirement were often directed to stop reporting for duty up to three months before their official exit date.
The Federal Government said this interpretation created inconsistencies across the public service and resulted in the premature withdrawal of experienced officers from active duty. The issue gained attention as authorities intensified broader civil service reforms aimed at improving efficiency, accountability, and workforce management. The latest directive forms part of ongoing efforts by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to ensure uniform application of service rules throughout the federal public service.
In a circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” Mrs. Walson-Jack stated that the commonly applied three-month pre-retirement leave has no legal basis within the Public Service Rules. According to the circular, the rule only requires officers due for retirement to provide three months’ notice before their retirement date.
The Head of Service explained that Rule 120243 establishes three separate obligations. First, a retiring officer must formally notify the government three months before retirement. Second, the officer is expected to attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop or seminar. Third, the remaining period should be used to reconcile service records and pension documentation.
She stressed that the notice period should not be interpreted as a leave entitlement. According to the directive, retiring officers remain public servants during that period and are expected to continue performing their official responsibilities except when attending approved retirement programmes or when granted leave under existing regulations.
As a result, all MDAs have been instructed to stop compelling workers to vacate their offices before their official retirement dates. Permanent Secretaries, Directors-General, Executive Secretaries, Service Chiefs, and heads of agencies were directed to communicate the new interpretation and ensure strict compliance. The government said the clarification would eliminate confusion surrounding the pre-retirement leave requirement and ensure consistency across federal institutions.
The directive is expected to strengthen workforce management by ensuring experienced officers remain available to discharge their duties until retirement. It may also improve service delivery by reducing manpower gaps created by early disengagement of personnel.
The clarification could further support retirement planning by allowing officers to participate in workshops and complete documentation without leaving service prematurely. Officials believe the revised interpretation of the pre-retirement leave process will enhance administrative efficiency and ensure compliance with existing rules.
