By Muhammad Mamman
The Nigerian Army has placed an indefinite suspension on all statutory and voluntary retirements for certain categories of officers, following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency.
The decision, communicated through an internal memo dated 3 December and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, is aimed at retaining critical manpower and preserving operational expertise as the Armed Forces undergo rapid expansion to confront rising insecurity across the country.
According to the memo, the directive is anchored on the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers (HTACOS) 2024, which ordinarily stipulate retirement upon reaching age limits for specific ranks, completing 35 years of service, or failing promotion or conversion assessments after multiple attempts. However, the Army invoked Paragraph 3.10(e) of HTACOS, which allows for service extensions “in the interest of the military.”
Explaining the rationale, the memo stated: “Military service of a commissioned officer entails a period of unbroken service in the AFN from the date of enlistment or commissioning to the date of retirement… Notwithstanding these provisions, Chapter 3.10(e) of HTACOS Officers 2024 allows for extension of service to officers in the interest of the service.”
It added that the President’s 26 November declaration of a nationwide security emergency required an immediate expansion of the Armed Forces and other security agencies. “In line with this, and to rapidly expand manpower, it has become expedient to temporarily suspend all statutory and voluntary retirements from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect,” the memo noted.
Affected Categories of Officers
The suspension applies to officers who:
- Have failed promotion examinations three times
- Have been passed over for promotion three times
- Have reached the age ceiling for their current rank
- Have failed conversion boards three times
- Have completed 35 years of service
Officers falling within these categories may apply for an extension if they wish to remain in service.
However, the Army made clear that officers granted an extension will not be eligible for further career progression. “Officers desirous of extension should note that upon extension, they are not eligible for career progression, including promotion, career courses, NA sponsorship, self-sponsored courses, secondment, or extra-regimental appointments,” the memo stated.
Those who do not wish to continue under the extended service option will proceed with normal retirement procedures.
The suspension marks one of the most sweeping manpower retention measures taken by the Nigerian Army in recent years, reflecting the gravity of the country’s current security challenges.
