Reps Pass Pres. Buhari’s Raising Teachers’ Retirement Age Bill

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, passed an executive bill that seeks to raise the retirement age of teachers in Nigeria.

The passage followed consideration of the report on the bill by the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday.

The President, President Muhammadu Buhari, had on June 2, 2021, sent the executive bill to the Senate and the House, seeking to increase the retirement age for teachers in the country from 60 to 65 years. It also seeks to extend the years of service for teachers from 35 to 40 years.

Buhari, in the letter addressed to President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; and Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, respectively, explained that the piece of legislation would provide for a harmonised retirement age for teachers in Nigeria.

The letter in part reads, “Transmission of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Bill 2021 to the National Assembly for consideration.

“Pursuant to Section 58 subsection 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), I forward herewith the harmonised retirement age for teachers in Nigeria Bill, 2021 for consideration by the Senate.

“The harmonised retirement age for teachers in Nigeria bill 2021 seeks to increase the retirement age for teachers from 60 to 65 years, and also increase the possible years of service from 35 to 40 years.

“While appreciating your usual expeditious consideration of this submission, please, accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”