From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved an increase in the retirement age of teachers across the country from 60 to 65 years or 40 years in service as against 35.
The FEC in its first meeting presided over by Buhari accented to the Harmonized Retirement Age Bill for teachers.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on 5 October, 2020 at the World Teachers Day assured the teachers of his administration’s effort to better the teaching profession in the country.
In his words, President Buhari said, “teachers have the power to shape and reshape the lives of young people and enhance their potential”.
“Only great teachers can produce excellent people and students that will make the future of our country great. A positive or negative influence of a teacher on any child will have an effect on that child. Therefore, the Federal Government is ensuring quality education.” President Buhari said.
Speaking further, he said, “there will be a special pension scheme to enable the teaching profession to retain its experienced talents as well as extend teachers’ retirement age to 65 years and the duration of teaching years to 40 years.”
The Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu also said the Harmonized Teachers Bill will also include the introduction of bursary award, special rural posting allowances and other measures to attract the best brains to the teaching profession in the country.
Adamu revealed this when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the Council meeting, which was presided over by President Buhari in Abuja.
According to him, the new retirement age for teachers is now 65 years or 40 years of service.
He said the Federal Executive Council also approved that bill to be known as ‘Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Bill 2020’ be sent to the National Assembly to give legal backing to the approval.
Prior to this development, the retirement age of teachers in the country was 60 years or 35 years in service.
