President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded an Executive Bill to the Senate, seeking extension of the retirement age for teachers from 60 to 65 years.
Gatekeepers News reports that the bill also seeks to extend the years of service for teachers from 35 to 40 years.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, read out the bill on Wednesday at the start of plenary.
President Buhari, in the bill which was conveyed in a letter, explained that the piece of legislation would provide a harmonised retirement age for teachers in Nigeria.
The decision to increase the retirement age and service years of teachers, he said, was pursuant to Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Part of the letter read: “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.”
Further details of the legislation will be discussed on another legislative day when the lawmakers begin the process of its passage.
Buhari’s letter comes about five months after the Federal Executive Council approved the extension of teachers’ retirement age as well as service years.