Following the declaration of security emergency in Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu in November this year, the Nigerian Army has suspended all statutory and voluntary retirements for certain categories of officers.
President Tinubu also directed the military, police, and intelligence agencies to expand recruitment and deploy thousands of additional personnel.
According to an internal memo signed by Maj-Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, the suspension of retirements was to retain manpower, experience, and operational capacity as the Armed Forces expand in response to rising insecurity.
“The President and Commander-in-Chief declared a nationwide security emergency on November 26, mandating the expansion of the AFN and other security agencies. In line with this, and to rapidly expand manpower, it has become expedient to temporarily suspend all statutory and voluntary retirements from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect,” the circular said.
The circular noted that the temporary suspension applies to officers who fall into the following categories: officers who failed promotion examinations three times; officers passed over three times at promotion boards; officers who have reached the age ceiling for their ranks; officers who failed conversion boards three times; and officers who have attained 35 years of service.
The Army stated that affected officers may apply to continue serving beyond their normal retirement dates.
“Officers in these categories who are not interested in extension of service are to continue with the normal retirement procedure. Officers desirous of extension should note that upon extension, they are not eligible for career progression, including promotion, career courses, NA sponsorship, self-sponsored courses, secondment, or extra-regimental appointments,” the memo stated.
It directed all commanders to disseminate the directive and manage morale, adding that the policy would be reviewed as the security situation improves.
GIK/APA