FEC approves 65 years as new retirement age for teachers

A bill seeking the extension of retirement age for teachers in the country was approved at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

At its first meeting in 2021, FEC approved increase in teachers’ retirement age from 60 years to 65 years, while also increasing teachers’ service years from 35 to 40

The bill titled “Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers Bill, 2021,” would now be transmitted to the National Assembly by President Buhari for passage.

Disclosing this to newsmen at the end of the FEC meeting, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said the bill was part of the Buhari administration’s efforts to enhance teaching profession in the country.

The minister said other aspects of the bill include introduction of bursary award, special rural posting allowances and other measures to attract the best brains to the profession.

The Federal Ministry of Education, through the Permanent Secretary, Sonny Echono, had revealed in November that the Federal Government was making plans to start employing only graduates with First Class and Second-Class degrees as teachers.