The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new Exit Benefit Scheme that will grant retiring Federal Civil Servants a gratuity equal to 100% of their total annual emoluments, effective January 1, 2026.
The scheme, described as a major milestone in civil service welfare, aims to ensure that officers who have served at least ten years retire with dignity and financial security. It complements the existing Contributory Pension Scheme by providing an additional financial safety net for employees in Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies.
In a statement, Eno Olotu, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, called the move a strategic enhancement to long-term income security for federal workers.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, praised the approval as a bold step by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, recognizing the dedication and professionalism of civil servants. She added that detailed implementation guidelines will be communicated soon.
This new gratuity policy comes 22 years after the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme, reflecting the government’s ongoing commitment to improving civil service welfare and institutionalizing reforms that secure employees’ futures.
