Retiring State House staff will be among the first federal civil servants to receive payments under a newly approved gratuity scheme, the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Temitope Peter Fashedemi, said Thursday.
Speaking at a send-off ceremony for two Directors and two Deputy Directors Fashedemi said President Bola Tinubu had approved the reintroduction of gratuity payments in addition to pensions and other retirement benefits.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC), approved the scheme in March with the policy taking effect on January 1, 2026.
According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations Abiodun Oladunjoye, under the measure, federal officers who have served at least 10 years will be entitled to a gratuity equal to one year’s basic salary on retirement.
The policy supplements the Contributory Pension Scheme, introduced in 2004, which did not provide for gratuity payments.
The statement said the approval followed recommendations from an inter-ministerial technical committee convened by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“Mr. President approved the introduction of gratuity for retiring civil servants, and some of you are among the first set of civil servants that will benefit from it,” Fashedemi told the retirees, adding that retirement after 35 years of service or upon reaching age 60 is “a significant milestone deserving celebration and recognition.”
Fashedemi said the move was part of the federal government’s commitment to staff welfare and to enhancing the value proposition for civil servants, one of six pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–25.
He said the State House has institutionalized programs to recognize outstanding officers both during service and at retirement as part of broader civil-service reforms.
Speakers at the ceremony praised the retirees’ professionalism and service.
Dr. Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, highlighted the work relationship he had with Francis Isa Wasa, director of information and communication technology.
Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, former permanent secretary, described Wasa as “an epitome of humility” and a dependable officer whose expertise will continue to benefit national development.
The retirement honours also included Adenike Akintola, director of internal audit; Esiyede Godwin, deputy director of library and archives; and Bukar Usman Goni, deputy director in finance and accounts, who was recognized in absentia.
In closing remarks, Alhaji Abdulkadir Idris, director of administration at the State House, called the event “a gathering of celebration” and thanked the Permanent Secretary for sustaining the tradition of recognizing retired staff.
Wasa, speaking for the retirees, thanked State House management for the ceremony and wished serving officers success and good health in their careers and retirements.
