RismadarVoice Reporters
March 10, 2026
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has welcomed the Federal Government’s approval of an enhanced gratuity for retiring federal civil servants.
President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, gave the commendation in an interview in Abuja.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government recently approved a new exit benefit scheme for federal civil servants.
Under the scheme, retiring workers will receive a gratuity equivalent to one hundred per cent of their total annual emolument, in addition to their pensions under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The new policy is expected to take effect from January first, twenty twenty-six, and will apply to workers who have served for at least ten years.
Ajaero described the approval as a positive development, noting that gratuity serves as a form of appreciation to workers who have served their employers diligently over the years.
According to him, while pensions provide long-term support, gratuity offers immediate financial relief to retirees, enabling them to start meaningful ventures and manage their affairs while waiting for pension payments.
The labour leader also noted that if gratuity payments were stopped in the past without any law abolishing them, workers who were affected should have their entitlements settled.
He stressed that gratuity should remain separate from pension benefits, adding that both should operate independently to ensure retirees are properly supported.
Ajaero further called on the Federal Government to ensure fairness to retirees who were previously denied gratuity, while also urging private sector organizations to adopt similar arrangements for their workers.
He said such measures would promote a culture of fairness and appreciation for employees across all sectors.
