The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new exit benefit scheme granting retiring federal civil servants a gratuity equivalent to 100 per cent of their total annual emolument.
The decision, announced by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, will take effect from January 1, 2026.
According to the statement, the policy is aimed at strengthening the welfare structure of the federal civil service and ensuring that officers who have served the country for at least 10 years retire with financial security and dignity.
The scheme will apply to civil servants working in treasury-funded ministries, extra-ministerial departments, and agencies, and is designed to complement the existing National Pension Commission framework under the contributory pension scheme.
The approval followed recommendations from an inter-ministerial technical committee set up by the Head of the Civil Service. The committee worked with the Budget Office of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the National Pension Commission to develop a sustainable implementation plan.
Speaking on the development, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, described the approval as a “watershed moment” for the country’s public service.
She said the new exit benefit scheme reflects the administration’s recognition of the dedication and sacrifices of federal civil servants.
“This approval is a profound acknowledgement of the invaluable contributions of our civil servants who have devoted their productive years to public service and national development,” Walson-Jack said.
She added that the initiative represents a significant step towards improving long-term income security for retiring officers and strengthening confidence in the federal civil service.
