Nigeria Approves Full Annual Gratuity for Civil Servants

The Federal Executive Council FEC has approved an Exit Benefit Scheme granting retiring Federal Civil Servants a gratuity equal to 100 per cent of their total annual emolument, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation announced on Friday.

The scheme, which takes effect from January 1, 2026, applies to officers with at least ten years of service in Treasury-funded Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies.

According to the statement, the approval followed “extensive deliberations and technical input” from an Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee, which collaborated with the National Pension Commission, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Office of the Accountant-General to design a sustainable implementation framework.

The Exit Benefit Scheme is an enhancement of the existing Contributory Pension Scheme, aimed at providing a substantial financial safety net and strengthening long-term income security for retiring civil servants.

Nigeria Approves Full Annual Gratuity for Civil Servants — Didi Esther Walson-Jack. Credit: Ripple Nigeria

Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, praised the council for the approval, calling it a watershed moment that recognises the dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism of civil servants.

She said the scheme aligns with the ongoing civil service reform agenda to create a motivated, performance-driven, and people-centred workforce.

“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.

“The Exit Benefit Scheme significantly enhances the retirement package of our officers and boosts confidence in the Federal Government’s commitment to their welfare.”

The payment of gratuity to Federal Civil Servants comes 22 years after the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme.

OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE FEDERATION
ABUJA

PRESS RELEASE

FEC Approves Gratuity for Federal Civil Servants

In a historic and morale-boosting decision, the Federal Executive Council has approved the implementation of a transformative Exit Benefit Scheme that… pic.twitter.com/jwVwpNVcoT

— Sunday Dare,CON (@SundayDareSD) March 14, 2026

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Jimisayo Opanuga

Jimisayo Opanuga is a web writer in the Digital Department at News Central TV, where she covers African and international stories. Her reporting focuses on social issues, health, justice, and the environment, alongside general-interest news. She is passionate about telling stories that inform the public and give voice to underreported communities.