The Nigerian Army has halted all statutory and voluntary retirements for specific categories of officers as part of sweeping security measures approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The decision follows the President’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency in response to a surge in violent attacks and mass kidnappings across the country.
A Response to Escalating Insecurity
Nigeria has witnessed an alarming wave of abductions in recent months. More than 600 mass kidnapping cases were recorded in November alone—among them the abduction of over 300 students in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara, and 25 students in Kebbi.
Confronted with this deteriorating security situation, President Tinubu on November 26 ordered the military, police, and intelligence agencies to rapidly expand their personnel strength and intensify deployments nationwide.
Army Suspends Retirements to Protect Operational Capacity
An internal memo dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff confirmed the immediate suspension of retirements.
According to the memo, the decision is aimed at preventing a drain of experienced manpower at a time when the Armed Forces are expected to expand and sustain high-intensity operations.
The document cites provisions in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, which normally require officers to retire upon reaching age limits, completing 35 years of service, or failing multiple promotion or conversion boards. However, Paragraph 3.10(e) allows the extension of service “in the interest of the Armed Forces.”
The memo explains that the President’s emergency directive makes it necessary to invoke this clause:
“To rapidly expand manpower, it has become expedient to temporarily suspend all statutory and voluntary retirements from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect.”
Who the Suspension Applies To
The temporary freeze affects officers who:
- Have failed promotion examinations three times
- Have been passed over for promotion on three occasions
- Have reached the age ceiling for their rank
- Have failed conversion boards three times
- Have completed 35 years of service
Officers who wish to continue serving may apply for extensions. Those who decline are to proceed with the usual retirement process. However, the Army clarified that officers who choose to stay will not be eligible for promotions, career courses, or new appointments during the extension period.
Commanders have been instructed to communicate the policy clearly and take steps to manage morale within their formations. The suspension will be reviewed once the national security environment improves.
Mixed Reactions from Veterans and Retired Generals
Veterans Applaud the Move
Awwal Abdullahi, Secretary-General of the Military Veterans Federation of Nigeria, described the decision as overdue and economically sensible.
He argued that the country invests heavily in training military officers, yet loses valuable expertise when senior personnel are forced into premature retirement after younger officers are appointed as service chiefs.
According to him:
“Many of these officers are more experienced than their juniors. It is a waste of resources to retire them simply because a junior is appointed. They can be redeployed to Defence Headquarters instead of being sent home.”
Retired Officers Support the Emergency Measure—With Conditions
Retired Brigadier General Peter Aro called the suspension a practical short-term measure to stabilize command structures in an overstretched military.
He commended the voluntary nature of the extension but stressed that officers who stay beyond their retirement dates must receive significant welfare and financial incentives, especially since they will no longer be eligible for promotions.
Aro also urged the military to:
- Accelerate recruitment
- Improve welfare
- Reduce lingering disparities between regular officers and short-service entrants
- Strengthen training pipelines to address manpower shortages
Other Veterans Echo Support
Retired Brigadier General Bashir Adewinbi described the suspension as a necessary step in extraordinary times, framing continued service as both a privilege and an opportunity to contribute to national stability.
He dismissed fears that officers who failed promotion boards might struggle under younger commanders, insisting that existing military structures prevent such conflicts.
Brigadier General George Emdin (retd.) also endorsed the policy but warned against retaining officers who consistently fail promotion examinations, arguing that doing so could compromise operational effectiveness. He called for an end to the longstanding practice of retiring officers once their coursemates become service chiefs, noting that the tradition deprives the military of seasoned talent.
He emphasized the need for stronger welfare:
“The job is inherently risky; their welfare must reflect that reality.”
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