Abuja, Nigeria — March 5, 2026

The Federal Executive Council has approved the implementation of a new Exit Benefit Scheme granting retiring Federal Civil Servants a gratuity equivalent to 100 percent of their total annual emoluments.

The scheme, which takes effect from January 1, 2026, marks a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the welfare structure of the Civil Service. It is designed to ensure that officers who have served the nation for a minimum of ten years retire with dignity and improved financial security.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Eno Olotu, the Exit Benefit Scheme was described as a strategic enhancement to the existing Contributory Pension Scheme framework.

According to the statement, the scheme is specifically structured to provide a substantial financial safety net at retirement, thereby strengthening long-term income security for Federal Civil Servants working in treasury-funded ministries, extra-ministerial departments, and agencies.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, commended the Federal Executive Council for what she described as a landmark approval. She noted that the decision demonstrates that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognizes the dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism of Federal Civil Servants.

Walson-Jack further stated that the initiative aligns with ongoing reforms aimed at building a more motivated, performance-driven, and people-centred Civil Service. She added that detailed implementation guidelines for the scheme would be communicated to relevant stakeholders in due course.

The reintroduction of gratuity payments comes 22 years after the establishment of the Contributory Pension Scheme in Nigeria. Observers say the latest approval by the Federal Executive Council underscores the government’s commitment to policies that enhance worker welfare while strengthening institutional reforms to secure the future of the Federal Civil Service.