Retiring staff of the State House are among the first set of federal civil servants to benefit from the newly approved gratuity scheme introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Temitope Peter Fashedemi, has said.
Fashedemi disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during a send-off ceremony organized in honor of two retiring directors and two deputy directors.
He said the policy reflects the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to improving welfare and retirement benefits for civil servants.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had in March 2026 approved a new gratuity scheme for federal civil servants, under which officers with at least 10 years of service will receive a gratuity equivalent to one year’s basic salary upon retirement. The scheme takes effect from January 1, 2026, and complements the Contributory Pension Scheme introduced in 2004, which did not provide for gratuity.
Fashedemi said the reform, based on recommendations of an inter-ministerial committee under the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, was designed to strengthen post-service welfare and recognize years of public service.
“Mr President has approved the introduction of gratuity for retiring civil servants, and some of you are among the first set to benefit from it,” he said.
He described retirement after 35 years of service or upon attaining 60 years as a milestone deserving recognition, adding that the government remains committed to staff welfare under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025.
“When people dedicate so many years of service to government, they deserve to be recognized and celebrated,” he said.
Fashedemi commended the retirees for their professionalism and dedication, noting that they had served the nation with distinction.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, and former Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, praised one of the retirees, Mr. Francis Isa Wasa, describing him as a diligent and dependable officer.
Earlier, the Director of Administration, State House, Alhaji Abdulkadir Idris, said the ceremony was a celebration of meritorious service and commended the retirees for their commitment to national duty.
The retirees honored include Mr. Francis Isa Wasa (ICT), Mrs. Adenike Akintola (Internal Audit), Mr. Esiyede Godwin (Library and Archives), and Mr. Bukar Usman Goni (Finance and Accounts), who was absent.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, Mr. Wasa expressed appreciation to the State House management for the recognition and wished serving officers successful careers and fulfilling retirements.
