The Senate, on Wednesday, received from President Muhammadu Buhari, an Executive Bill which seeks to extend the retirement age of teachers in public service by five years.
If passed into law, teachers in public institutions would have their years of service increased from 35 to 40 years.
Reading the letter addressed to him on the floor of the Senate chamber, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said the envisaged legislation would provide for harmonised retirement age for teachers in Nigeria.
According to him, the move to increase the retirement age and service years was pursuant to Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The letter reads: “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.
“While appreciating your usual expeditious consideration of this submission, please, accept Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
The Senate President during plenary equally referred the President’s request for the confirmation of Major General Farouk Yahaya as Chief of Army Staff of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Committees on Defense and Army, led by Senators Aliyu Wamakko and Ali Ndume while the former Committee was specifically mandated to screen the newly appointed Army Chief.