The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new exit benefit scheme that will allow retiring federal civil servants to receive a gratuity equal to 100 percent of their total annual emolument.
This was disclosed by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in a statement issued in Abuja by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Eno Olotu.
According to the statement, the new gratuity arrangement will take effect from January 1, 2026, and is aimed at improving the welfare of federal civil servants by providing greater financial security after retirement.
Under the scheme, civil servants who have served for at least 10 years in the federal public service will qualify to receive the gratuity upon retirement. The benefit will be paid in addition to what retirees already receive under the National Pension Commission-regulated contributory pension scheme.
The statement explained that the approval followed detailed consultations and technical work by an inter-ministerial committee established by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The committee collaborated with key government institutions, including the National Pension Commission, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, to design what officials described as a sustainable framework for implementing the new benefit.
Reacting to the development, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, praised the Federal Executive Council for approving the initiative. She described the decision as a significant step toward improving the welfare and retirement benefits of federal workers.
According to her, the approval shows that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises the dedication and contributions of public servants to national development.
She noted that the new scheme would strengthen retirement packages for civil servants and boost their confidence in the government’s commitment to their wellbeing.
Walson-Jack also said the initiative forms part of ongoing reforms aimed at building a more motivated and performance-driven civil service, adding that detailed guidelines for implementing the scheme will be released in due course.
