Army Suspends All Retirements Amid Nationwide Security Emergency

The Nigerian Army has placed an indefinite suspension on all statutory and voluntary retirements for selected categories of officers, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent declaration of a nationwide security emergency.

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. The memo explained that the move is aimed at consolidating manpower, preserving institutional experience, and boosting operational capacity as the Armed Forces undergo rapid expansion to confront rising insecurity across the country.

According to the document, retirement in the military is ordinarily determined by age limits attached to ranks, a maximum of 35 years in service, or repeated failures in promotion or conversion processes—provisions backed by the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) for Officers 2024. However, Chapter 3.10(e) of the HTACOS permits extension of service “in the interest of the Nigerian Army.”

The memo stated:

“In line with the President and Commander-in-Chief’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency on November 26, and the mandate to expand the Armed Forces of Nigeria, it has become expedient to temporarily suspend all statutory and voluntary retirements from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect.”

Categories of Officers Affected

The suspension applies to officers who fall into any of the following groups:

1. Those who have failed promotion examinations three times
2. Those passed over for promotion three times
3. Officers who have attained the age ceiling for their rank
4. Officers who have failed conversion boards three times
5. Those who have completed 35 years of service

While the suspension is automatic, affected officers may apply to continue in service beyond their due retirement dates if they wish.

Conditions for Extension

The Army clarified that officers granted extension will not be eligible for career progression. This includes:

1. No promotions
2. No career development courses
3. No Nigerian Army sponsorship
4. No self-sponsored courses
5. No secondment
6. No extra-regimental appointments

Those who do not wish to remain in service are allowed to proceed with normal retirement procedures.

The suspension is one of the most far-reaching manpower decisions by the Army in recent years and signals an aggressive restructuring to strengthen national security operations.