FG commences 14-day paternity leave for civil servants

The federal government has approved the commencement of 14 working-day paternity leave for federal civil servants.

This disclosure is contained in a circular with ref no: HCSF/SPSO/ODD/NCE/RR/650309/3, dated November 25, 2022, and issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan.

The circular titled, ‘Computation of Leave Based on Working Days and Approval of Paternity Leave in the Public Service’, is in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules, 2021 Edition.

Once in 2 years: Yemi Esan, in the circular said,

“Government has also approved Paternity Leave for serving male officers whose spouse delivers a baby. The period of the leave shall be fourteen working days. The leave shall not be more than once in two years, and for a maximum of four children.

“Where the family of a male officer adopts a child under four months old, the officer will similarly enjoy Paternity Leave for a period of fourteen working days.’’
She said the request for such leave shall be accompanied by the expected date of delivery report of the officer’s wife or evidence of approval of the adoption of the child by the relevant government bodies. She also said that the effective date of the circular was 25th November 2022.

Recall that on September 29, 2022, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), at a meeting, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, approved 14 days of paternity leave for civil servants.

Yemi-Esan, at the end of the meeting, explained that paternity leave will allow fathers to properly bond with their newborn babies or adopted children.