The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the commencement of 14 working-day paternity leave for federal civil servants.
In a November 25 circular seen by News Central titled, “Computation of Leave Based on Working Days and Approval of Paternity Leave in the Public Service,” the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, said on Monday that this is in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules, 2021 Edition, that the computation of all leave shall be based on working days.
The statement with ref no: HCSF/SPSO/ODD/NCE/RR/650309/3, states “Government has also approved Paternity Leave for serving male officers whose spouse delivers a baby. The period of the leave shall be 14 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 14 working days,” Yemi-Esan said.
Yemi-Esan said that the request for such leave shall be accompanied by the Expected Date of Delivery’s (EDD) 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 November 25, 2022.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had in September this year approved a 14-day paternity leave for men in the federal civil service, to make men properly bond with their newborn baby or adopted one.
She said the bonding was important to help the newly-born or adopted baby properly bond with the father in the early period.