The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new exit benefit scheme that will provide retiring federal civil servants with a gratuity equal to 100 percent of their total annual emolument.
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation announced this in a statement by Mrs. Eno Olotu, Director of Press and Public Relations, on Thursday in Abuja. The scheme, effective from January 1, 2026, aims to enhance the welfare of federal civil servants and ensure that those who have served for at least 10 years retire with financial security.
The approval follows recommendations 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 of the Federation to design a sustainable framework for the benefit.
The new exit package complements the existing Contributory Pension Scheme and is intended to strengthen retirement income security for civil servants in ministries, extra-ministerial departments, and federal agencies.
Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, praised the council for the approval, describing it as a bold initiative that demonstrates the Tinubu administration’s recognition of the dedication, professionalism, 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.
“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 said.
Walson-Jack noted that the initiative is in line with ongoing reforms designed to create a more motivated, performance-oriented, and people-focused civil service.
She added that detailed guidelines for implementing the scheme would be released in due course.
The reintroduction of gratuity for federal civil servants comes 22 years after the rollout of the Contributory Pension Scheme.