Abuja, June 2, 2026 -The Federal Government has directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to stop the compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave, given to officers ahead of their retirement.
Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, gave the directive in a circular to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, heads of agencies and other senior public officials.
The circular, titled, “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” such provision does not exist in the Public Service Rules (PSR).
It said many MDAs had wrongly interpreted the mandatory retirement notice period as an automatic leave period, resulting in the premature withdrawal of officers from active service.
The circular said the Public Service Rule only requires officers approaching retirement to issue a three-month notice before retirement, attend a one-month pre-retirement seminar or workshop, and utilise the remaining period to regularise service records and pension documentation.
It said the so-called mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave has no basis in the Public Service Rules.
Walson-Jack clarified that Rule 120243 provides for three separate obligations: issuance of retirement notice, participation in a pre-retirement seminar during the first month, and completion of retirement documentation within the remaining two months.
“A retiring officer must give three months’ notice before the effective date of retirement. This is a notice requirement, not a leave entitlement,” the circular stated.
“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 said.
The circular said officers due for retirement remain in active service throughout the notice period and are expected to continue carrying out their official duties, except when attending approved pre-retirement workshops or when granted leave in line with existing regulations.
