By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Nigerian Army has enacted a temporary but sweeping measure to address the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu, suspending all statutory and voluntary retirements for specific categories of officers. This critical decision is aimed at retaining seasoned manpower, preserving institutional experience, and rapidly expanding the operational capacity of the Armed Forces amid a dramatic surge in mass abductions and banditry.
The President declared the nationwide security emergency on November 26, following a volatile period where Nigeria recorded over 600 cases of mass abductions in November alone. Notable incidents included the kidnapping of more than 300 students in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and 25 students in Kebbi State, compelling the President to direct the military, police, and intelligence agencies to significantly expand recruitment and immediately deploy thousands of additional personnel.
An internal memo dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff formalized the directive. The document referenced the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, noting that while officers are ordinarily scheduled to retire upon reaching their age ceiling, completing 35 years of service, or following repeated promotion failures, the law permits a service extension under Paragraph 3.10(e) “in the interest of the military.”
The memo stated, “In line with this, and to rapidly expand manpower, it has become expedient to temporarily suspend all statutory and voluntary retirements from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect.”
The temporary suspension applies broadly to officers who fall into several key categories: those who have reached the age ceiling for their ranks; officers who have attained 35 years of service; those who failed promotion examinations three times; officers passed over three times at promotion boards; and officers who failed conversion boards three times.
The Army directive clarifies that affected officers may apply to continue serving beyond their normal retirement dates. Those officers not interested in the extension are permitted to continue with the normal retirement procedure.
However, officers who choose the extension option will face certain career limitations. The memo specifically states that extended officers are not eligible for career progression, including promotion, career courses, Army sponsorship, self-sponsored courses, secondment, or extra-regimental appointments. The policy is slated for review once the security situation shows demonstrable improvement.
Military Veterans Welcome the Decision
The decision has received strong endorsements from several retired military personnel and veterans’ groups. Dr. Awwal Abdullahi, Secretary-General of the Military Veterans Federation of Nigeria, voiced strong support, describing the previous premature retirement of experienced officers due to junior appointments as a significant waste of taxpayer money and expertise. He suggested that senior officers whose juniors are appointed service chiefs should be moved to the Defence Headquarters to ensure their continued contribution.
Retired Brigadier General Peter Aro described the measure as a “reasonable short-term emergency response.” While commending the voluntary nature of the extension, he cautioned that the Army must enhance welfare and provide special financial incentives to those extending their service, especially since they lose eligibility for promotion. Aro emphasized that without enhanced salary and welfare packages, many seasoned officers may decline the offer despite the urgent security needs.
Retired Brigadier General Bashir Adewinbi also endorsed the suspension as a practical step during a critical security situation, arguing that remaining in service should be viewed as a privilege. Similarly, retired Brigadier General George Emdin welcomed the measure but urged the military to abandon the tradition of retiring officers once their course mates become service chiefs, citing the resulting loss of valuable expertise. He, however, expressed reservations about retaining officers who repeatedly failed promotion examinations.