LunagisthubFG Scraps “3-Month Pre-Retirement Leave” for Civil Servants: What It Means for You in 2026
The Federal Government just ended a decades-old practice. Ministries, Departments and Agencies must stop forcing civil servants to take a mandatory 3-month pre-retirement leave. Head of Civil Service Didi Walson-Jack says that “leave” never existed in the Public Service Rules. In a circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities”_, the Head of Service told all ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, and agency heads to discontinue the practice immediately.
For years, many MDAs treated the 3-month retirement notice as an automatic leave period. Once officers submitted retirement papers, they were sent home to “wait for retirement”. Walson-Jack says that interpretation is wrong and causes manpower loss.
“The so-called ‘mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave’ has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” Walson-Jack stated.
Key point from the circular: Retiring officers remain full public servants during the 3-month notice period. They must keep reporting for duty and performing official duties.
They’re only excused from work when:
1. Attending approved pre-retirement workshops/seminars
2. On authorized leave under existing leave rules
“PSR 120243 does not exempt retiring officers from official duties during the notice period,” the circular added.
MDAs must now ensure retiring staff continue working, complete pension docs, and transfer knowledge until their last day.
Thousands of experienced officers left their desks early each year, creating gaps in service delivery.Using the 2 months after the workshop for documentation should reduce pension processing issues.
Different MDAs interpreted PSR 120243 differently. This directive creates one rule for all federal agencies.
Nigeria’s civil service retirement kicks in at 60 years of age or 35 years of service, whichever comes first. Pension delays and record issues have been major pain points for retirees.
If you’re retiring soon, note these changes:
1.Submit notice 3 months early but keep working
2.Attend pre-retirement seminar in month 1
3.Process pension docs* in months 2-3 while still on duty
4.Don’t vacate office until your official retirement date
Permanent secretaries and agency CEOs have been ordered to inform all staff and enforce compliance.
There’s no “3-month pre-retirement leave” in federal rules. If you’re a civil servant retiring in 2026, plan to work all 3 months of your notice period, use 1 month for workshops, and 2 months for pension paperwork. FG says this will improve service delivery and speed up pension payments.
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