The Federal Government has abolished the practice of granting civil servants a mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave, saying the arrangement was based on a wrong interpretation of the Public Service Rules and had no legal backing.

The directive was issued in a circular by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, and sent to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), including top government officials across the federal civil service.

According to the circular, what is commonly referred to as “pre-retirement leave” is not recognised in the Public Service Rules. Instead, it is meant to be a structured three-month notice period that some MDAs mistakenly converted into automatic leave.

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The government explained that this misinterpretation had led to many experienced officers leaving active duty earlier than required, creating avoidable gaps in manpower and affecting service delivery in some institutions.

“The so-called ‘mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave’ has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” the circular stated.

Under the correct rule, retiring officers are required to give three months’ notice before their retirement date. Within that period, they are expected to attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop or seminar, while the remaining time is used to process pension documentation and reconcile service records.

The Federal Government further clarified that officers remain in active service throughout the notice period and are still expected to carry out their official duties, except when attending approved training or granted leave under existing regulations.

“A retiring officer must give three months’ notice before their effective date of retirement. This is a notice requirement, not a leave entitlement,” the directive added.

The Head of Service directed all MDAs to stop the practice of sending officers on compulsory pre-retirement leave before their official retirement dates, insisting that such action is inconsistent with existing regulations.

She also instructed permanent secretaries, directors-general, and agency heads to ensure full compliance and proper dissemination of the corrected interpretation across the civil service.

Nigeria’s civil service retirement framework remains governed by the Public Service Rules and the Pension Reform Act, with officers retiring upon reaching 60 years of age or completing 35 years in service, whichever comes first.

The government said the reform is aimed at standardising procedures, improving efficiency, and ensuring that experienced civil servants continue contributing to government operations until their official exit date.

Confusion has trailed an encounter between Nigerian author and columnist Okey Ndibe and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with both sides offering conflicting explanations of what happened.

Ndibe confirmed that he was held for more than three hours by DSS operatives before being released. In a post shared on his Facebook page, he expressed appreciation to those who reached out after news of the incident broke.

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“I am so grateful for the expressions of concern by many friends, acquaintances and others over my detention earlier today by the DSS at Murtala Muhammed International Airport,” Ndibe wrote.

He added that despite the unexpected encounter, he was treated respectfully by the officers involved.

“The two agents who interacted with me were quite courteous throughout the three-plus hours of my detention,” he said.
Ndibe further confirmed his release, assuring supporters of his wellbeing.

“I’d like to confirm that I’ve been released… I am fine and in excellent spirits. I treasure your messages and gestures of friendship,” he added.

However, the DSS has denied that the author was arrested or detained. In a statement issued by its spokesperson, the agency said its interaction with Ndibe was part of an ongoing review of its security watchlist system.

“The Department of State Services hereby clarifies that it did not arrest or detain Prof Okey Ndibe at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on June 1, 2026 or any other place on that date for that matter,” the statement said.

The agency explained that its current leadership is reviewing long-standing watchlist entries, some dating back to previous administrations, to ensure citizens are not subjected to unnecessary inconvenience.

According to the DSS, “Individuals previously placed on watchlists are routinely invited for interaction as part of a review process that could lead to the downgrading or removal of their watchlist status.”

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has stirred controversy after accusing Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of orchestrating the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in parts of Oyo State.

Fayose made the startling allegation during a televised programme while reacting to the kidnapping incident that has sparked outrage across the country and renewed concerns over insecurity in schools.

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The former governor claimed that the abduction may have been politically motivated and aimed at embarrassing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

According to Fayose, governors have a major role to play in tackling security challenges within their states and should not be quick to shift responsibility to the Federal Government whenever incidents occur.

He questioned Governor Makinde’s handling of the crisis, alleging that the governor prioritized political activities, including party nomination exercises, instead of taking immediate action to address the abduction and support affected families.

“I strongly believe, though I may be wrong, that this incident could have been orchestrated. The governor was engaged in nomination activities while the abduction occurred,” Fayose stated.

The former governor further alleged that the incident may have been designed to portray the Federal Government in a negative light and create the impression that President Tinubu’s administration was failing to address insecurity.

His remarks come days after gunmen reportedly abducted pupils and teachers in some local government areas of Oyo State, prompting national concern and intervention from the Federal Government.

Following the incident, President Tinubu dispatched a high-powered delegation to the affected communities and assured residents that efforts were underway to secure the safe release of the victims.

Fayose’s allegations have since generated mixed reactions among political stakeholders, with some calling for evidence to support the claims, while others described the comments as speculative and politically charged.

Meanwhile, security experts and concerned citizens continue to call for stronger measures to protect schools and prevent further attacks on students and teachers across the country.