The Federal Executive Council has approved a new exit benefit scheme that will provide retiring federal civil servants with a gratuity equal to their total annual salary.
The decision will take effect from January 1, 2026. It was announced on Thursday in Abuja by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Under the approved framework, federal civil servants who have served for at least 10 years will receive the gratuity upon retirement. The payment will be made in addition to benefits under the existing Contributory Pension Scheme.
According to the statement, the approval followed detailed discussions and technical input from an inter-ministerial committee set up by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The committee worked with the National Pension Commission, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to develop a sustainable plan for implementation.
Didi Esther Walson-Jack, head of the civil service of the federation, praised the council for endorsing the initiative. She described it as a major step toward improving the welfare of federal workers and recognising their years of service.
“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,” she 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.”
She added that the policy aligns with ongoing reforms aimed at building a more motivated and performance-driven civil service. Detailed guidelines for implementation will be issued later.