Govt scraps mandatory 3-month pre-retirement leave for civil servants
Federal Government discontinues mandatory 3-month pre-retirement leave, clarifying such provision doesn't exist in Public Service Rules. Circular dated May 13, 2026 signed by Head of Civil Service Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack reveals some MDAs wrongly treated 3-month retirement notice as compulsory leave, forcing officers to vacate duties before official retirement date. Under PSR 120243, officers give 3 months' notice before retirement: first month for mandatory pre-retirement workshop/seminar, remaining two months for regularizing records, pension documentation, and other retirement matters. Retiring officers can now continue working during notice period instead of being forced to leave. Policy affects all federal civil servants nationwide across MDAs, service chiefs, and key public institutions.