IN any well-structured civil service system, retirement is not just an endpoint but a transition, one that should be approached with dignity, planning, and foresight.
However, in Nigeria, it is often marred by fear, uncertainty, and, in some cases, outright fraud. The falsification of age to extend years in service has become a deeply entrenched practice, exposing cracks in the public sector’s administrative and welfare structures.
While Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori recently admonished civil servants against this fraudulent practice, mere warnings may not suffice.
The primary motivation for age falsification in the civil service is the fear of financial instability upon retirement. The delay in the payment of pensions and gratuities has made retirement a nightmare for many, forcing them to cling to their jobs for as long as possible. In a system where retirees wait months, even years, to receive their entitlements, it is unsurprising that some choose to extend their service through fraudulent means.
For some, late entry into the civil service is a compelling reason to manipulate their age. Those who start their careers in their late 30s and 40s, due to prolonged education, unemployment, or personal circumstances, find themselves at a disadvantage when the mandatory retirement age looms. With dependents still in school and bills piling up, the thought of leaving the civil service becomes daunting.
Of course, no discussion on age falsification would be complete without addressing the corruption that enables it. The ease with which birth certificates, affidavits, and official records are manipulated raises serious concerns about integrity in public service administration.
Beyond warnings, there must be concrete anti-corruption mechanisms in place. Previous measures, such as requiring Delta’s civil servants to submit their Primary School Leaving Certificates as proof of age, were a step in the right direction. However, more stringent digital verification systems must be introduced to ensure that age-related records cannot be altered at will.
While age falsification is unethical and criminal, it is crucial to recognize that the desperation behind it stems from a lack of trust in the system. The government cannot demand integrity from civil servants while failing to uphold its obligations.
Pension and gratuity payments must be prompt and predictable, ensuring that retirees can transition smoothly into post-service life. One way to achieve this is by engaging financial experts and pension managers who specialize in annuities and retirement planning.
The government should consider adopting private-sector pension management strategies, ensuring that funds are well-managed and accessible when due. Employing and retaining skilled pension administrators within the civil service will help streamline these processes, restoring confidence in the system.
Additionally, there is a pressing need for a Retirement Preparedness Program, a structured course designed to educate civil servants on financial planning, investment strategies, and post-retirement opportunities. If civil servants are taught how to invest wisely, manage annuities, and smoothly evolve into retirement, many would not feel compelled to manipulate their ages to remain in service.
There is an undeniable advantage to retiring at the appropriate time. Leaving the civil service early opens doors to new opportunities, consulting, entrepreneurship, private sector roles, and even public service in advisory capacities but knowing there is a reliable safety net makes the transition easier.
Age falsification is not merely a fraudulent act, it is a symptom of deeper structural flaws within the civil service. Addressing it requires a dual approach: strict enforcement of retirement policies and comprehensive reforms that make leaving the service at the appropriate time a dignified and attractive choice.
In fact, a system that guarantees financial security; provides retirement benefits and eliminates corruption will not waste resources and time to battle age falsification; it will render it unnecessary.
However, we are quite aware that the Delta State Government has not been lacking in this direction. From the last check, most of the retirees in the state are heaving sigh of relief given the speed at which the relevant agency of government is handling the pension’s issues unlike past experiences, where retirees spend years before getting their retirement benefits.
