The Kano State Government has announced that approximately 4,000 civil servants who benefited from a tenure extension under the former administration of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje will retire by December 1, 2024.
A comprehensive investigation, screening, and data assessment of the affected workers have been completed by the state government. These employees had been enjoying an extension of service beyond the usual retirement limit of 35 years or 60 years of age.
Former Governor Ganduje had implemented a policy allowing civil servants to remain in service for an additional five years beyond the statutory retirement age. However, this policy was reversed when Governor Abba Yusuf took office on May 29, 2023. Governor Yusuf repealed the pension law that permitted the extension and mandated a return to the standard retirement rules of 35 years of service or 60 years of age.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, the state’s Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa, confirmed that a Senior Civil Servants Committee was established to identify the number of workers impacted by the policy reversal.
“After a thorough investigation, our committee found that about 4,000 individuals are affected and will retire by December 1, 2024. By the end of September, these employees are required to submit their retirement notices,” Musa stated.
Musa also emphasized that the government is prepared to address the vacancies that will arise from the mass retirements.
“At the end of former Governor Ganduje’s administration, 13,000 civil servants were employed. Governor Yusuf, upon taking office, chose not to dismiss them. Instead, we screened all 13,000 workers, retaining 10,000 on a permanent and pensionable basis, while the remaining 3,000 were let go. Among those dismissed were National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, undergraduates, underage individuals (below 13 years), and overaged individuals,” Musa explained.
Additionally, Musa noted that issues of truancy within the civil service have been addressed, with strict measures now in place requiring employees to report to work promptly at 8:00 a.m.
