In a decisive move to bolster its fighting force, the Nigerian Army has ordered an immediate halt to all statutory and voluntary retirements for specific categories of officers. This suspension is a direct response to the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu, as the military ramps up operations against escalating insecurity.
Directive from Army Headquarters
The order was communicated through an internal memo dated December 3, 2025, and signed by Major General E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff. The document, which has been seen by journalists, states the primary goal is to retain critical manpower, operational experience, and overall capacity within the force.
This action follows President Tinubu's declaration of a security emergency on November 26, 2025, which mandated the expansion of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies. The memo clarifies that while standard retirement rules based on age, length of service, or promotion failures are outlined in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service Officers 2024 (HTACOS), existing regulations allow for service extensions when in the interest of the military.
Who is Affected by the Suspension?
The retirement freeze applies to officers falling into several key categories. The army has specified that the suspension impacts:
- Officers who have failed promotion examinations three times.
- Officers passed over three times by promotion boards.
- Officers who have reached the official age ceiling for their current rank.
- Officers who have failed conversion boards on three occasions.
- Officers who have attained the maximum length of service, which is 35 years.
The circular provides an option for those not interested in extending their service, stating they can proceed with normal retirement procedures. However, it issues a significant warning for those who choose to stay: Officers who accept an extension will not be eligible for any form of career progression. This includes promotions, career courses, army-sponsored or self-sponsored courses, secondment, or extra-regimental appointments.
Managing Morale and Future Review
The directive further instructs all formation commanders to effectively disseminate this new policy to their troops and to carefully manage morale in light of the changes. The army high command acknowledges that this is a temporary measure, noting that the suspension will be reviewed as the national security situation improves.
This strategic pause on retirements is a core component of the broader security strategy ordered by President Tinubu. His emergency declaration on November 26 also included orders for the military, police, and intelligence agencies to accelerate recruitment and deploy thousands of additional personnel across the country to confront the pervasive security challenges.
