The proposal for a 65-year retirement age for workers in the country has been rejected by the National Council on Establishment. In a communique released in Abuja on Friday, the council stated that the proposal contradicts the principles of renewal, youth empowerment, and innovation.
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress had called for a review of the retirement age to 65 during the May 2023 Workers Day. National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, expressed during an interview that organized labor would engage President Bola Tinubu on the new retirement proposal.
The communique, jointly signed by the Chairman of the Council and Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, and the Council’s Secretary, Olufemi Oloruntola, stated, “Council for the umpteenth time rejected outrightly, the request for upward review of retirement age for public servants to 40 years’ of service or 65 years of age; as it is contrary to national aspiration of renewal, youth empowerment, innovation and also not in tandem with the reality of our population dynamics.”
The Council advised all tiers of government to reconsider the demand, while acknowledging the availability of the option of contract appointments to address skills gaps resulting from retirement.
Other decisions made by the Council include professionalizing the human resource practice in the civil service, creating a cadre for Information and Public Relations Officer, and scheduling an annual retreat for Heads of Service to exchange ideas and engage in peer review. Additionally, the 46th National Council on Establishments meeting has been scheduled to hold in Osogbo, Osun State in 2024.
The 45th meeting of the National Council on Establishment was presided over by Yemi-Esan and was held in Bauchi State. It was attended by Heads of Service from various states of the federation and permanent secretaries.
Source: This Day
