The Nigerian Army has suspended all statutory and voluntary retirements for specific categories of officers following the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The move is part of an accelerated effort to strengthen the Armed Forces as the country confronts rising insecurity across multiple regions.
According to a report by Channels Television, 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 document explained that the temporary suspension of retirements is intended to preserve manpower, institutional experience, and operational capacity at a time when the military is undergoing rapid expansion.
Citing the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, the memo noted that officers typically exit service upon hitting their age limit, completing 35 years in uniform, or following repeated promotion or conversion failures. However, Paragraph 3.10(e) of the updated HTACOS provides room for service extension when required in the interest of the Armed Forces.
The memo reiterated:
“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… Notwithstanding these provisions, Chapter 3.10(e) of HTACOS Officers 2024 allows for the extension of service to officers in the interest of the service.”
It further explained that President Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency on November 26, 2025, necessitated a swift expansion of the military and other security agencies. Consequently, the Army deemed it “expedient to temporarily suspend all statutory and voluntary retirements… with immediate effect.”
The suspension applies to officers in the following categories:
-
Those who have failed promotion examinations three times;
-
Officers passed over three times at promotion boards;
-
Officers who have reached the age ceiling of their ranks;
-
Officers who failed conversion boards three times;
-
Officers who have completed 35 years of service.
However, the Army clarified that personnel uninterested in continuing service may proceed with normal retirement procedures. For officers who opt for extension, the memo warned that the arrangement does not allow for career progression. They will not be eligible for promotion, career courses, Army-sponsored or self-sponsored programmes, secondments, or extra-regimental appointments.
Commanders across formations and units were directed to disseminate the directive and manage troop morale, with an assurance that the policy will be reviewed once the security situation improves.
President Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency last month included instructions to the military, police, and intelligence agencies to expand recruitment and deploy thousands of additional personnel nationwide.
The suspension of retirements is now one of the key administrative steps being implemented to support that mandate.
