The Abia State Government directs civil servants due for retirement to proceed on a mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave as part of preparations for pension processing. The directive is issued to permanent secretaries, heads of non-ministerial departments and heads of parastatals, requiring them to identify affected officers and ensure compliance with the leave schedule.
According to reports, the policy applies to officers reaching the statutory retirement age of 60 or completing 35 years of service, and also covers directors affected by an 8-year tenure arrangement. The instruction is contained in an internal memo dated October 12, 2026, signed by the state Head of Service, Benson Ojeikere, and references relevant public service rules and earlier circulars. It also requires ministries, departments and agencies to expedite retirement and pension documentation within set timelines and to escalate operational challenges to the Office of the Head of Service.
Separately, retiring civil servants in Abia call for prompt payment of benefits when they exit the service, saying delays would affect them despite the government’s instructions. Sources present the directive as a mechanism to improve processing, while the retirees’ request focuses on the timely delivery of promised benefits.
