The Nigerian Army has suspended all statutory and voluntary retirements for officers following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency last month.
An internal memo dated December 3, signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, stated the freeze is to retain manpower, experience, and operational capacity as the Armed Forces expand in response to rising insecurity.
The order comes amid a severe kidnapping crisis, with over 600 cases of mass abductions recorded in November alone, including attacks on students in Niger State and worshippers in Kwara State. President Tinubu had on November 26 declared a security emergency and directed the military and other agencies to recruit and deploy thousands of additional personnel.
The suspension applies to officers who have reached the age ceiling for their rank, attained 35 years of service, failed promotion exams three times, been passed over three times by promotion boards, or failed conversion boards three times.
Citing the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (2024), the memo invoked a clause allowing service extension “in the interest of the service.”
Affected officers have been given a choice: proceed with normal retirement or apply for an extension. Those who opt to stay will serve under specific conditions—they will not be eligible for promotion, career courses, army-sponsored studies, or extra-regimental appointments.
The Army stated the policy is temporary and will be reviewed as the security situation improves.
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