The Federal Executive Council has approved the implementation of a transformative Exit Benefit Scheme that grants retiring federal civil servants a gratuity equal to 100 per cent of their total annual emolument.

Effective from 1 January 2026, the scheme marks a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the welfare framework of the civil service, ensuring officers with a minimum of 10 years of service retire with dignity and financial security.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Eno Olotu.

The approval followed extensive deliberations and technical input from an Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee constituted by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The committee 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 and effective implementation framework.

The Exit Benefit Scheme complements the existing Contributory Pension Scheme, offering a substantial financial safety net at retirement for officers in Treasury-funded Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies.

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, commended the FEC for what she described as a “watershed approval,” noting that it reflected the administration’s recognition of the dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism 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,” Walson-Jack said.

She added that the initiative aligned with ongoing reforms to build a more motivated, performance-driven, and people-centred civil service and assured that comprehensive implementation guidelines would be communicated in due course.

The payment of gratuity to the workers comes 22 years after the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme and demonstrates the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to policies that promote improved welfare and secure the future of the civil service.