Osun state governor extends teachers’ retirement age

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has announced a new retirement age for teachers in public schools, extending it to 65 years old.

This decision comes with a corresponding length of service requirement set at 40 years.

The directive was conveyed through a circular issued by Ayanleye Aina, the Head of Service, on Tuesday in Osogbo, the state capital.

The circular emphasizes adherence to approved guidelines as a prerequisite for enjoying the new retirement age and length of service.

It outlines specific criteria that interested individuals must meet to benefit from the extended retirement age.

Among these requirements, teachers must belong to the education cadre recognized in the Scheme of Service, be registered with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), and certified as medically fit by a qualified medical practitioner. Additionally, they must be free from any disciplinary actions.

Eligible officers are required to submit their applications six months before reaching the age of 60 or completing 35 years of service, whichever comes first.

These applications must be endorsed by the Head Teacher/Principal and addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, among other specifications. Importantly, the extension period is clarified as non-pensionable in the guidelines.

The circular directs the Ministry of Finance and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to immediately halt the payment of salaries to individuals currently benefiting from the new retirement age without fulfilling the necessary conditions.

It reaffirms previous circulars on the subject and stresses compliance.

The circular urges strict adherence to the guidelines and calls upon relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the government to ensure widespread circulation of the circular and strict compliance with its directives.

This move marks a significant step in the management of the teaching workforce in Osun State and is expected to have far-reaching implications for the education sector in the state.