The Nigerian Army has suspended all statutory and voluntary retirements for certain categories of officers, a decision announced in an internal memo dated December 3, 2025. The freeze comes in response to the nationwide security emergency declared by Bola Tinubu on November 26.
The memo — signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff — states the suspension aims to preserve manpower, institutional experience, and operational capacity as the military scales up in response to escalating insecurity nationwide.
Under the governing document Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, officers ordinarily retire upon reaching age ceilings for their rank, completing 35 years of service, or failing promotion or conversion boards multiple times.
However, Paragraph 3.10(e) of HTACOS permits service extension “in the interest of the service.” That clause is now being invoked given the intensifying security crisis.
The temporary suspension applies to officers who:
• failed promotion examinations three times;
• were passed over three times at promotion boards;
• have reached the age ceiling for their ranks;
• failed conversion boards three times; or
• have completed 35 years of service.
Those affected may apply to stay in service. However, if they accept the extension, they will not be eligible for further career progression — no promotions, no career courses, no Army sponsorship, no secondments or extra-regimental appointments. Officers who decline will proceed with the normal retirement process.
Commanders have been directed to inform their formations and manage troop morale. The policy will be reviewed once the security situation improves.
The move comes amid a surge in kidnappings and violent crimes nationwide. Several media reports note that in November 2025 alone, over 600 cases of mass abductions were recorded — including more than 300 students in one incident in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and 25 students in Kebbi State.
Declaring a national security emergency on November 26, President Tinubu ordered the military, police and intelligence agencies to expand recruitment and deploy additional personnel across the country. The freeze on retirements is part of that broader mobilisation effort.
Some former generals and veterans have welcomed the move, calling it timely and necessary to retain experienced officers during an acute security crisis.
Supporters argue that retiring seasoned officers en masse would deplete the military of institutional memory and trained manpower just when the country needs robust security operations.
However, critics warn that without adequate welfare incentives, many officers may decline extensions — especially since extended service comes without the prospect of promotion or other career benefits.
This latest development marks a significant shift in personnel policy by the Nigerian Army — one that underscores how deeply the nationwide security emergency is reshaping military planning and resource management.
