Army Halts All Officer Retirements as Tinubu’s Security Emergency Reshapes Military Structure
The Nigerian Army has suspended all statutory and voluntary retirements for selected categories of officers, following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency.
In an internal memo dated December 3, 2025, and signed by Major General E.I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Army said the measure aims to preserve manpower and deepen operational capacity as the Armed Forces prepare for rapid expansion in response to escalating insecurity across the country.
The memo cites the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers (HTACOS) 2024, which ordinarily stipulate that officers retire upon reaching the age ceiling for their rank, completing 35 years in service, or after repeated failures in promotion or conversion assessments. However, it notes that Paragraph 3.10(e) of the document provides for service extensions “in the interest of the military.”
“Military service of a commissioned officer entails a period of unbroken service in the Armed Forces of Nigeria from the date of enlistment or commissioning to the date of retirement,” the memo states. “These include attainment of age ceilings on various ranks, 35 years maximum length of service, and other criteria provided in Paragraphs 11.02(d) and 17.15.”
It adds that the President’s November 26 declaration directing an accelerated expansion of the Armed Forces has made it “expedient to temporarily suspend all statutory and voluntary retirements from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect.”
The suspension applies to officers who have failed promotion examinations three times, those passed over for promotion three times, officers who have reached the age ceiling for their rank, those who have failed conversion boards three times, and those who have completed 35 years of service.
While officers in these categories may apply to remain in service beyond their scheduled retirement dates, the memo makes clear that extended service does not confer any further career advancement.
“Officers in these categories who are not interested in extension of service are to continue with the normal retirement procedure,” it states. “Officers desirous of extension should note that upon extension, they are not eligible for career progression, including promotion, career courses, Nigerian Army sponsorships, self-sponsored courses, secondment, or extra-regimental appointments.”
The policy marks one of the most sweeping internal restructuring steps taken by the Army in recent years, underscoring the scale of the national security challenges confronting the country.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
