By Muhammad Mamman
The Federal Government has approved a new gratuity payment for retiring federal civil servants, marking a major shift in Nigeria’s public service retirement framework and boosting benefits for thousands of government workers.
The decision was endorsed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) during its meeting in Abuja, following recommendations from a technical committee set up by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).
Under the newly approved exit benefit scheme, retiring officers in treasury-funded ministries, departments and agencies will receive a gratuity equivalent to 100 percent of their total annual emoluments — effectively one full year of their salary package.
The benefit will apply to civil servants who have completed a minimum of 10 years of service and will operate alongside Nigeria’s National Pension Commission-regulated Contributory Pension Scheme, which has been in place for more than two decades but previously did not include a gratuity component for many retirees.
Officials say the new scheme will take effect from January 1, 2026, and is expected to strengthen the welfare structure of the federal civil service.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson‑Jack, described the approval as a significant recognition of the role played by civil servants in national development.
“This is a profound acknowledgement of the invaluable contributions of our civil servants who have devoted their productive years to public service and national development,” she said.
Walson-Jack added that the initiative would significantly enhance retirement benefits, boost morale within the civil service and align with broader government reforms aimed at building a more motivated and performance-driven public sector.
According to Eno Olotu, Director of Press and Public Relations at the OHCSF, the scheme is designed to ensure that public officers who have served the country for at least a decade retire with improved financial security.
“The scheme strengthens the welfare structure of the federal civil service and ensures officers who have served the nation retire with dignity and financial stability,” Olotu said.
Authorities say detailed implementation guidelines for the programme will be released in the coming weeks as ministries and government agencies prepare to integrate the policy into their retirement procedures.
