Buhari, FEC sign new retirement age for teachers

Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved a new retirement age for teachers in the country from 60 years to 65 years.

The meeting, presided over by President Buhari today Wednesday, January 20, approved the bill; Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers Bill, 2021, which will be sent to the National Assembly for its consideration and possible approval.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, said the bill also seeks to give legal backing to new measures by the current administration to enhance the teaching profession in the country.

According to Mr Adamu, some highlights of the bill include the introduction of bursary award, special rural posting allowances and other measures to attract the best brains to the profession.

If approved by the lawmakers, the retirement age of teachers will move from 60 years to 65 while the years of service will also move from 35 to 40.

Buhari has said the move is in recognition of the roles of teachers in nation-building and to encourage them in delivering better service. He said having a day to celebrate the teacher is just but a token gesture of recognition to the sacrificial contribution of teachers.