The Nigerian Army has put a hold on all statutory and voluntary retirements for specific officer categories following the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.
Over 600 mass abduction cases were recorded in November alone. Among them were the kidnapping of more than 300 students in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and 25 students in Kebbi State, among several others.
In reaction, the President on November 26 announced a nationwide security emergency and instructed the military, police, and intelligence agencies to boost recruitment and deploy thousands of extra personnel.
An internal memo dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff indicated that the retirement freeze was intended to retain manpower, expertise, and operational strength as the Armed Forces expand in response to escalating insecurity.
The document, referring to the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, noted that although officers are normally required to retire upon hitting age limits, completing 35 years of service, or after repeated promotion or conversion failures, extensions are allowed under Paragraph 3.10(e) in the interest of the military.
The memo partly read, “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 period of service is determined by conditions enshrined in the HTACOS Officers 2024. These include attainment of age ceilings on various ranks, 35 years maximum length of service, and other criteria provided in Paragraphs 11.02(d) and 17.15, among extant regulations.
“Notwithstanding these provisions, Chapter 3.10(e) of HTACOS Officers 2024 allows for extension of service to officers in the interest of the service.
“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.”
According to the circular, the temporary halt affects officers in the following categories: those who failed promotion examinations three times; those bypassed three times at promotion boards; those who have reached the age ceiling for their ranks; those who failed conversion boards three times; and those who have completed 35 years in service.
The Army stated that affected officers may request to remain in service beyond their expected 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 ordered all commanders to circulate the directive and manage morale, adding that the policy would be reviewed once the security environment improves.
Veterans, ex-generals back suspension
The Secretary-General of the Military Veterans Federation of Nigeria, Dr Awwal Abdullahi, described the move as timely.
He said, “I strongly support it. Even aside from insecurity, these officers are trained with taxpayer money, but they are being retired prematurely because of appointments.
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“A situation where you appoint service chiefs and those that are junior are asked to leave; instead, you can move these officers to the defense headquarters if their junior is appointed so that they will be reporting to the chief of defense staff directly.
“Also, most of these trained officers have more experience than the junior ones, so it is a waste of resources to retire them either because you appointed their junior. So, I think it is the best decision to suspend retirement.”
Also, retired Brigadier General Peter Aro described the step as a “reasonable short-term emergency response,” stressing that retaining seasoned personnel would help stabilise command during active operations.
He said while the voluntary option was appropriate, the Army must improve welfare and provide specific financial incentives.
Aro stated, “Given the scale of insecurity and the shortage of experienced personnel, retaining seasoned officers and soldiers will help stabilise command, preserve operational experience, and prevent leadership gaps. Since officers must indicate voluntary interest, that part of the policy is commendable.
“However, because there will be no further promotion or career progression for them, there must be commensurate welfare and financial incentives. Those who have exhausted their promotion chances, age limits, or service years should be placed on an enhanced salary and welfare package based on seniority and the additional years they are required to serve. Without such incentives, many may decline the offer.”
He also called for large-scale recruitment, fast-tracked training, improved welfare, and reforms to close manpower shortages, urging the military to end the “silent dichotomy” between regular officers and short-service entrants.
Another retired officer, Brigadier General Bashir Adewinbi (retd.), also supported the suspension, describing it as a realistic measure in a critical security climate.
He maintained that staying in service past normal retirement should be seen as a privilege and an opportunity to serve.
“This is a well-organised system. If there is any need to amend the terms and conditions of service, I’m sure the leadership will do so,” he said.
Adewinbi dismissed worries that officers who failed promotion exams might struggle under junior commanders, saying current structures would prevent such issues.
Retired Brigadier General George Emdin also backed the move but urged the military to end the practice of retiring officers whenever their coursemates become service chiefs, arguing that it deprives the system of essential expertise.
However, he opposed retaining officers who repeatedly failed promotion examinations.
“The job is risky; their welfare should be top-notch,” he added.
