The Nigerian Army has suspended all statutory and voluntary retirements for certain categories of officers.
This new development comes as part of efforts to respond to the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.
The directive was contained in an internal memo dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff. According to the memo, the temporary suspension is intended to preserve manpower, retain critical expertise, and strengthen operational readiness while the Armed Forces expand rapidly to address escalating security threats across the country.
The directive takes effect immediately.
The memo cited the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers (HTACOS) 2024, which ordinarily requires officers to retire once they reach the age limit for their rank, complete 35 years of service, or fail promotion or conversion assessments after several attempts.
However, it noted that Paragraph 3.10(e) of HTACOS permits the extension of service when it is deemed to be in the interest of the military.
“Military service of a commissioned officer entails a period of unbroken service in the AFN from the date of enlistment or commissioning to the date of retirement,” the memo stated.
It added that despite the established criteria guiding retirement, exceptional circumstances allow for service extensions.
It further explained that President Tinubu’s declaration of a security emergency on November 26 placed a mandate on the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies to expand their manpower.
In line with this directive, the Army said it had become necessary to halt statutory and voluntary retirements “with immediate effect.”
The suspension affects officers who have reached the age ceiling for their rank, completed 35 years of service, failed promotion examinations or been passed over for promotion on three occasions, or failed conversion boards multiple times.
While officers who wish to continue serving may apply for an extension beyond their scheduled retirement dates, the memo made clear that such extensions do not come with career progression.
Those granted the extension will not be eligible for promotion, career development courses, Army-sponsored or self-sponsored training, secondment opportunities or extra-regimental appointments.
Officers who do not wish to remain in service are allowed to proceed with the normal retirement process.
