FG to increase teachers retirement age from 60 to 65 years – Osinbajo

The Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has said that the Federal Government has plans to increase the retirement age of teachers in Nigeria’s public service from 60 to 65 years.

He made this known in Abuja while hosting, the winner of the Maltina Teacher of the Year 2020, Oluwabunmi Anani, as part of the 2021 World Teachers Day celebration.

Vice President Osinbajo also said that the FG has plans to employ more teachers into the public service starting from level 8 as against level 7.

He said, “So, I think it is also important to reward teachers; the Federal Government, on its part, has been doing a bit of work in trying to improve a lot of teachers.”

“For example, there is a policy now, though not a law yet; it is still in the National Assembly about moving the retirement age of teachers in the public service from 60 to 65.”

“That’s an additional five years; then also looking at their remuneration.”

“I think one of the questions that have arisen is when the teacher comes into the public service; in the past, they used to come in at Level 7, which is not the level that a graduate would come in.”

“Part of the policy is that they should come in at Level 8; but of course, this has to go through various processes and all that.’’

He reiterated that the states had a role to play as issues of primary and secondary education were essentially the function of states.

So, again, just to say that it is a tremendous honour and pleasure to meet with you and to congratulate you on your serving now for almost a whole year as the Maltina Teacher of the Year.

While congratulating Anani, he said “To say that I hope and pray that you will do, even more, achieve, even more, attain even more and that you will not be discouraged.”

“ You won’t be distracted and that God will help you as you help so many others.’’

Anani was accompanied on the visit to the Presidential Villa by Uzodinma Odenigbo, Head of Public and Government Affairs, Nigerian Breweries Limited(NBL), who are sponsors of the event.