No fewer than 30 senior officials, including the Clerk to the National Assembly, Magaji Tambawal, will be stepping down this year following President Bola Tinubu’s refusal to sign a bill extending the retirement age for parliamentary staff. Sources confirm that Tambawal commenced his pre-retirement leave on November 1, 2024, handing over his duties to Deputy Clerk Kamouroudeen Ogundele in preparation for his official retirement in February 2025.

Tambawal, who was confirmed as the Clerk in March 2023 after serving in an acting capacity, will leave alongside other high-ranking officials, including the Clerk to the Senate, Chinedu Akabueze, and the Deputy Clerks of both the Senate and House of Representatives. The retirement wave extends to 11 directors, six deputy directors, and additional staff from the National Assembly Service Commission.

The mass exit follows Tinubu’s decision to decline the bill proposing a five-year increase in the retirement age for National Assembly employees—from 60 to 65 years, or 35 to 40 years of service. Despite several attempts to pass this bill in previous assemblies, the Senate only approved it in March 2024, after initial hesitation, before submitting it for the President’s assent.

ALSO READ: Group Urges FG, National Assembly to Intervene in FCT Land Dispute

A source familiar with the assembly’s staffing patterns noted that the looming retirements are primarily due to age and length of service. Many employees joined the Assembly around 1991-1992, aligning their retirement timelines with the 35-year service cap or the 60-year age limit. According to an internal document, the retirements will occur in batches, with around 20 to 30 more departures anticipated in early 2025.

Concerns have surfaced regarding the impact on legislative memory as experienced staff retire. “There’s a worry about legislative continuity,” noted a senior official who preferred anonymity. “Replacing long-standing personnel impacts legislative knowledge and the assembly’s operational efficiency.”

Despite earlier reports suggesting over 80 retirements, another senior insider clarified that the actual number would be around 46 for this year. “The figure is closer to 46,” the source confirmed, underscoring that while notable, the numbers remain manageable.