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Tag: FEC

  • FEC Approves 100% Gratuity Exit Benefit for Federal Civil Servants

    FEC Approves 100% Gratuity Exit Benefit for Federal Civil Servants

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the implementation of a landmark Exit Benefit Scheme that will grant retiring federal civil servants a gratuity equivalent to 100 per cent of their total annual emolument.

    The scheme, which takes effect from January 1, 2026, marks a significant step in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the welfare structure of the civil service and ensure that officers who have served the nation for a minimum of ten years retire with financial security and dignity.

    The approval followed extensive deliberations and technical work by an Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee established by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

    The committee collaborated with the National Pension Commission, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to design a sustainable implementation framework.

    According to the government, the Exit Benefit Scheme serves as a strategic enhancement to the existing Contributory Pension Scheme.

    It is intended to provide retiring officers in treasury-funded ministries, extra-ministerial departments, and agencies with a substantial financial cushion at the point of retirement.

    Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, described the approval as a watershed moment for Nigeria’s public service.

    She commended the Federal Executive Council for endorsing what she called a transformative policy that recognises the dedication and sacrifices of federal civil servants.

    In a Press Statement, by Eno Olotu, Director, Press and Public Relations Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Walson-Jack was reported to have said, “This approval is a profound acknowledgement of the invaluable contributions of our civil servants who have devoted their productive years to public service and national development.”

    She noted that the new Exit Benefit Scheme significantly strengthens the retirement package available to federal officers and reinforces confidence in the government’s commitment to the welfare of civil servants.

    The Head of Service also stated that the initiative aligns with ongoing reforms aimed at building a more motivated, performance-driven and people-centred civil service.

    She added that detailed implementation guidelines for the scheme will be released in due course.

    The reintroduction of gratuity payments comes 22 years after Nigeria adopted the Contributory Pension Scheme. The Federal Government said the latest approval demonstrates its continued commitment to policies that improve the welfare of civil servants while deepening reforms designed to secure the future of the federal public service.

  • Tinubu postpones FEC meeting in honour of late COAS Lagbaja

    Tinubu postpones FEC meeting in honour of late COAS Lagbaja

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on Tuesday night.

    Tinubu also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide for seven days in honour of the departed general.

    Lagbaja served as Chief of Army Staff from June 19, 2023, till his death on November 5, 2024.

    The postponement of the FEC meeting was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, November 6.

    The statement reads: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, has ordered rescheduling the Federal Executive Council meeting till another date to be announced.”

    Initially scheduled for today, the council meeting was postponed in honour of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, who passed away on Tuesday night.

    “General Lagbaja served as the Chief of Army Staff from June 19, 2023, till his death on November 5, 2024.”

    President Tinubu also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide for seven days in honour of the departed general.”

    Earlier today, President Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Lagbaja family and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    “He wished Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honoured his significant contributions to the nation.”

  • NEC Sets September 9 Deadline For Four States To Submit State Police Reports

    NEC Sets September 9 Deadline For Four States To Submit State Police Reports

    The National Economic Council (NEC) on Wednesday, imposed a deadline of September 9 for four states to submit their reports on the establishment of state police.
    The NEC will review comprehensive reports from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on that date. States that do not meet this deadline will be subject to the NEC’s decisions regarding the state police.
    Additionally, the Federal Government has allocated ₦3 billion in aid to states affected by severe flooding.
    At the conclusion of the NEC meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Acting Oyo State Governor Abdulraheem Lawal reported that all states were expected to submit their reports for NEC’s review.
    The discussion on state police was driven by ongoing security challenges across regions, including the Northeast, Northcentral, Southwest, Southeast, and Southsouth.
    Lawal emphasized that the initiative aims to enhance national security. He noted that last year, the NEC had asked states to provide reports on the establishment of state police. States that fail to meet the September 9 deadline will be bound by the NEC’s decisions.
    He said, “An update on the establishment of State police was considered and this was as a result of the security challenges that we have across the nation, in Northeast, Northcentral, southwest, Southeast and South south so that we would have a robust security in our nation.
    “For that purpose, sometimes last year NEC considered the establishment of state police and asked states to make submissions of considerations
    “Today (Wednesday), all the states were supposed to submit for consideration of NEC. Incidentally, four states couldn’t submit, and for that purpose, NEC decided that those states must make their submissions on or before Monday next week, otherwise, whatever decision next date on the establishment of State Police will be binding on those states that reused to submit them to make submissions.
    “So that is the resolution as of today’s NEC meeting.”
    Although the specific names of the four states that have yet to submit their reports were not disclosed, sources identified them as Adamawa, Kwara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and the FCT.
    According to Vanguard, the source said one of the four states claimed it had already submitted its report.
    Also briefing, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed provided insights into the flood situation, highlighting the federal government’s ₦3 billion relief fund.
    Mohammed described the severe impact of the flooding, especially in the Northeast, where critical infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, has been damaged, affecting households, schools, and other essential services.
    He said, “The flood was more devastating along the Northeast axis where a major artery between Kano and Maiduguri has been cut off with devastating effects on households, schools, bridges and other means of livelihood. Lives were lost and a lot of properties were also destroyed.
    “Of course, that has really provided a big challenge to us as a government and as a people in our states because we need to provide more of food security. Already, farmlands are submerged and therefore there’s need for collaboration between all the tiers of government to ensure food security.”
    Mohammed noted that this year’s harvest is expected to be significantly affected due to the floods. He called for coordinated efforts between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and state ministries to ensure a comprehensive response to the crisis.
    An inventory of the damage, including impacts on agriculture and infrastructure, is required by Monday to facilitate timely support.
    Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule supported this perspective, noting that a new governance structure has been established to manage flood relief efforts.
    The reconstituted Flood Committee now includes governors from Kogi, Bayelsa, Oyo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, and Jigawa states, as well as key federal ministers and agency directors. The Committee will oversee the assessment of flood damage and ensure effective relief measures.
    He said: “The Flood committee has to be reconstituted and the new members of the councils are governors of Kogi, Bayelsa, Oyo, Ebonyi, Bauchi and Jigawa states.
    “Others are Minister of Water of Resources, minister of state Water of Resources, Minister of State for Environment, DG Nigeria Sovereignty Investment Authority (NSIA), DG NIMET, DG NWRI, MD/CEO NIWA, MD if NNDC, MD NEDC, and DG NEMA.
    “The council has decided that Monday will be the deadline for all the states of the Federation to submit details damages including farms, schools, barges that have been affected by the last flood and Mr. chairman mentioned it will be taking into consideration for appropriate support to the various states.
    “So these are the new very strong membership of the flood committee that will continue to address council henceforth.”
    The NEC has mandated that all states submit detailed damage reports by Monday, including impacts on farms, schools, and infrastructure, to enable appropriate support for the affected regions.

  • #EndBadGovernance Protest: Tinubu Presides Over Crucial FEC Meeting

    President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to preside over a critical Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday afternoon at the Presidential Villa’s Council Chambers in Abuja.
    The meeting comes on the heels of the President’s national broadcast on Sunday, where he urged Nigerians to end the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests and engage in dialogue.
    The Council is expected to assess the current situation and explore strategies to address the economic challenges fueling the protests.
    In his Sunday broadcast, President Tinubu called for public order and reiterated his commitment to protecting the lives and property of all citizens.
    He said, “As President of this country, I must ensure public order. In line with my constitutional oath to protect the lives and property of every citizen, our government will not stand idly by and allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart.
    “Under the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity. Nigeria requires all hands on deck and needs us all – regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides, to work together in reshaping our destiny as a nation. To those who have taken undue advantage of this situation to threaten any section of this country, be warned: The law will catch up with you. There is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build.”