The Federal Government has ordered the immediate suspension of all statutory and voluntary retirements in the Nigerian Army, following a nationwide security emergency declared by the President and Commander-in-Chief on November 26.
The directive, contained in an internal circular circulated to Army formations, mandates an urgent expansion of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies in response to escalating security pressures across the country.
According to the document, the temporary halt to retirements is part of efforts to “rapidly expand manpower” and ensure that experienced personnel remain in service during the period of the emergency.
The suspension affects several categories of officers, including:
- Officers who have failed promotion examinations three times
- Officers passed over three times at promotion boards
- Officers who have reached the age ceiling for their ranks
- Officers who failed conversion boards three times
- Officers who have completed 35 years of service
The circular emphasized that the measure is temporary but necessary to maintain operational strength while the emergency directives remain in effect.
More details are expected as the Army Headquarters prepares to issue further clarifications in the coming days.
