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The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to immediately stop the practice of placing civil servants on a mandatory three-month pre-retirement or terminal leave, declaring that such a provision does not exist in Nigeria’s Public Service Rules. The directive was issued through a circular signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, following concerns that many government institutions had wrongly interpreted retirement regulations and were prematurely disengaging officers from active service. 
According to the circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” retiring officers are only required to give three months’ notice before their retirement date, attend a one-month pre-retirement seminar or workshop, and use the remaining period to regularise pension and service documentation. Walson-Jack stressed that the notice period was never intended to be treated as a leave entitlement and clarified that the widely practised three-month terminal leave has no legal backing under the Public Service Rules. 
The Head of Service explained that the new directive aims to standardise the interpretation of retirement regulations across the federal civil service and prevent the loss of experienced manpower caused by officers being withdrawn from duty before their official retirement dates. Government officials believe the measure will improve productivity and service delivery by allowing retiring workers to continue contributing their expertise while completing necessary retirement documentation. 
The decision marks a significant change in the administration of Nigeria’s civil service, where the practice of sending officers home three months before retirement had become common over the years. Under existing regulations, federal civil servants are required to retire after 35 years of service or upon reaching the age of 60, whichever comes first. Authorities say the clarification will ensure uniform implementation of the rules nationwide while reducing confusion surrounding retirement procedures and pension processing. 
