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Harmonising Nigeria’s public service retirement age discrepancies
Harmonising Nigeria’s public service retirement age discrepancies
By: Michael Mike
Mr David Adebayo and Ms. Ngozi Chinedu were two hardworking Nigerians with divergent career paths.
Adebayo, a senior administrative officer in the public sector, dedicated his life to the civil service.
By the age of 60 which coincided with his 35 years in service he retired, according to government regulations.
In contrast, Chinedu, a senior marketing executive at a multinational corporation, continued working until the age of 65, benefiting from the stability and perks of her private sector job.
Upon retirement, Adebayo encountered several challenges. His pension, often delayed and not adjusted to inflation, was insufficient for a comfortable post-retirement life.
Losing his employer-sponsored health insurance forced him to rely on the National Health Insurance Scheme, which barely covered his basic healthcare needs.
Not having enough leisure time during his service years, post-retirement financial strain and inadequate healthcare support took a toll on his well-being.
Chinedu’s experience was however markedly different. Working until 65 allowed her to amass a larger pension fund, ensuring financial security on her retirement.
Her private health insurance continued into her retirement years, providing comprehensive coverage.
The extended work period also meant that she enjoyed a better work-life balance and job satisfaction, marked by professional growth and substantial earnings.
In retirement, Adebayo and Chinedu’s lives further diverged.
Adebayo, without a solid post-retirement plan, struggled with social isolation and mental health issues.
Chinedu maintained her professional network and engaged in community activities, finding a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
This narrative reflects the impact of retirement age discrepancies in Nigeria.
It underscores the relentless call by stakeholders on the federal government to accede to the demand for the review and harmonization of the retirement age of all public servants across-the-board.
Many public analysts believe that harmonising Nigeria’s retirement age discrepancies by addressing the variations in retirement ages across all sectors in the country, is long overdue.
According to them, inconsistent policies that culminate in retirement age disparities in the workforce is discriminatory, counter-productive, and a morale killer.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has, for instance, persistently demanded that the retirement age and length of service in the entire public service be reviewed upward to 65 years of age and 40 years of service, respectively.
Reinforcing this standpoint, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, during the 2023 and 2024 May Day celebrations, reiterated that the organised labour was resolutely committed to its demand for the upward review and harmonization of public servants’ retirement age.
He said that increasing the years of service should be done uniformly across all sectors, instead of being selectively done in favor of just a few sectors of the public service in the country.
“Only a few establishments, including the core civil service, are now left out.
“We are, therefore, demanding that the age of retirement and length of service in the entire public service, including the core civil service, be reviewed upward to 65 years of age and 40 years of service,” Ajaero said.
Concurring with Ajaero, the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), an NGO that is committed to strengthening democratic governance in Nigeria, also called for the immediate upward review of the retirement age of civil servants.
PLAC argued that this would facilitate an efficient pension administration process for the welfare of core civil servants, be they judicial officers like retired judges or public servants in any sector.
It was against this backdrop that former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 12, 2021, approved the upward review of the retirement age of health sector workers from 60 to 65, and catapulted that of consultants from 65 to 70.
The former President also signed a Law in 2022 increasing the retirement age for primary school teachers to 65, with no fewer than 15 state governments currently implementing it already.
On June 8, 2023, President Bola Tinubu signed a Constitution Alteration Act to amend Section 291 of the Constitution, to ensure uniformity in the retirement age and pension rights of judicial officers of superior courts.
This Act, the Fifth Alteration (No.37) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, eliminates disparity in the retirement age of judicial officers by harmonising it at 70 years.
It also reduces the period of service required to determine a judicial officer’s pension from fifteen to ten years.
Also, the Nigerian Senate recently passed a Bill to increase the retirement age for civil servants working in the National Assembly to 65 years or 40 years of service.
The Bill, which was initiated by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), has set tongues wagging across socio-political and ethnic divides.
PASAN has argued that increasing the retirement age would help fill the vacuum caused by retiring experienced officers and better utilize their experience while building the capacity of younger employees.
According to Sunday Sabiyi, PASAN chairman, the Bill is expected to be signed into law by President Bola Tinubu soon, and when signed, national and state assembly workers will retire at the age of 65 years and 40 years of service, respectively.
Similarly, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has been upbeat in its call for an upward review of the retirement age for employees in the core civil service.
Joshua Apebo, ASCSN Secretary-General, while reiterating the association’s position, urged the trade union movement to ensure uniformity in retirement age in the public service.
Apebo argued that since judicial officers, university lecturers, health workers, and primary school teachers now enjoy the new retirement age hike, and with that of the legislature in view, it was only fair that it also benefitted other core civil servants.
Dr Gboyega Daniel, a public affairs analyst, picked holes in the discrepancies in retirement age in Nigeria, and called for immediate policy reforms to harmonise the benchmarks.
Daniel said that these discrepancies create perceptions of inequality, favoritism, and strain the pension system, which affects service morale and productivity, culminating in imbalances and potential sustainability issues.
According to him, varied retirement ages complicate workforce planning and disrupt the systematic transfer of knowledge and experiences.
“The civil service mandates retirement at 60 years or after 35 years of service, while the academia sees professors and other academic staff retiring at 70 years.
“Judges and justices in the judiciary retire at ages ranging from 65 to 70, depending on their positions.
“Ditto for teachers, who have since had their retirement age jacked up by the Buhari administration,” he said.
He, therefore, suggested immediate legislative actions to amend existing laws and implement policy reforms that would establish unified retirement age across all sectors.
Dr Tunde Balogun, a UK-based Nigerian, said the current debate about reviewing the retirement age and length of service was not limited to Nigeria.
“Recently, the UK Government said it was considering raising the retirement age of public servants from the current 60 years to 68 years.
“At the moment, retirement at age 65 years is common in many EU member states. Many countries have already decided to raise the retirement age to 67 years,” he said.
Experts say that reviewing the core civil servants’ retirement age to 65 years and 40 years of service as well as harmonising the discrepancies across the board, is a policy that is long overdue.
Although some critics argue that the policy would be inimical to the career progression of their younger colleagues and affect fresh employments, its proponents say the benefits far outweigh its demerits.
According to them, achieving uniformity in retirement age policy can leverage experience and expertise, enhance fairness, efficiency, and sustainability in workforce management and pension systems.
They believe government should demonstrate sincerity of purpose and apply a holistic approach to the issue.
Harmonising Nigeria’s public service retirement age discrepancies
VP Shettima: Hajiya Sutura Shagari Will Be Remembered For Her Selflessness, Compassion
- Leads FG delegation on condolence visit to the late former president’s family in Sokoto
By: Michael Mike
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has described the passing of Hajiya Sutura Shehu Shagari, the last surviving wife of former President Shehu Shagari as a huge loss to Nigeria, saying she will be remembered for her life of compassionate and selfless service to her community and the nation at large.
Senator Shettima spoke on Sunday when he led the Federal Government delegation to condole with the Shagari family over the demise of the matriarch of the Shagari family in their residence in Sokoto State.
Announcing the death of the last surviving wife of the former President, a statement signed by the eldest son of the former President and Sarkin Mafaran Shagari, Capt. Bala Shagari, had noted that the late Hajiya Sutura died at about 3pm on Monday, November 10, 2025, after a prolonged illness at the age of 79.
Commiserating with the Shagari family in Sokoto, the Vice President who said he was in the state at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prayed for the repose of Hajiya Sutura’s soul, as well as comfort for the family and the Sultanate.
“We are here at the instance of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to condole with the government and people of Sokoto State, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and the immediate family of our late President, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, over the sad event of the passing of his last surviving wife, Hajia Sutura Aliyu Usman Shagari,” he stated.
Vice President Shettima also prayed Almighty Allah to reward the departed with Aljannah Firdaus, as well as the fortitude for the immediate family, Sokoto State and the entire nation to bear the loss.
“May Allah grant her soul eternal rest and reward her with Aljana Firdaus. May Allah also grant the family and the good people of Sokoto and the nation as a whole, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he prayed.
Earlier, the Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, thanked the Vice President for the show of love and concern about not only the Shagari family but the entire Sokoto State.
“The visit is a gesture which speaks volumes for having you in our midst today. Distinguished audience, you may recall that the Vice President has been here almost, I can say, four times since the inception of our administration. This is a show of love and the concern.
“We thank you most sincerely; we thank you for your coming. We pray Allah to give you sound health, and to give you courage to continue the good work you are doing for this great country,” the Governor told VP Shettima.
Also, leader of the Shagari family and District Head of Shagari, Capt. Bala Shagari (rtd), thanked the Vice President for leading the Federal Government’s delegation to condole with the family.
He said it was a great honour having the Federal Government’s delegation sent by President Tinubu to condole with the Shagari family in their moment of grief, even as he also thanked the state Governor for taking care of the Shagari family.
Also in attendance were the Minister of State for Works, Senator Bello Mohammed Goronyo; former Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bello Mohammed Adoke, and former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Mukhtari Shagari, among other senior government officials.
VP Shettima: Hajiya Sutura Shagari Will Be Remembered For Her Selflessness, Compassion
Duke of Edinburgh Visits Nigeria to Host Series of Events, Meets Tinubu
By: Michael Mike
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh is expected in the country to host a series of events in Lagos, Nigeria from 17 – 23 November 2025 to champion the expansion of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award across the world.
He is also expected to meet President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, and get involved in some other activities at the nation’s capital.
According to a statement on Sunday, Prince Edward, as Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, will convene almost 200 young people from more than 50 countries over the week, alongside hundreds of leaders delivering the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award globally, policymakers, and representatives from global youth movements.
Young people will take part in an intensive three-day youth leadership programme, before taking part in the International Award’s triennial Forum focused on expanding access to the Award globally.
Last year almost 1.2 million young people in more than 130 countries took part in the Award. While young people in the UK make up around half of all participants, Kenya has the second-highest number of young people involved in the Award. In Nigeria – where this week’s events are taking place – participation has surged by 37% in the past year, reflecting increasing interest across West Africa.
On the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award turning 70 next year, new analysis about the global impact of the Award shows that the social value generated by young people completing the Award in the last year has exceeded £1 billion for the first time. The social value is calculated through a robust methodology developed by PWC quantifying the impact of volunteering, improved mental and physical health, and social cohesion.
The Award has gained increasing momentum in recent years, as the likes of the World Bank, World Economic Forum and International Labor Organisation have placed strong emphasis on skills developed beyond the classroom, such as teamwork, communication skills, resilience and problem-solving.
Over the course of the week the Duke of Edinburgh will meet the President of Nigeria in Abuja, convene senior ministers and international development agencies in Lagos to foster deeper collaboration on non-formal education and take part in major events hosted by the Governor of Lagos and the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos.
Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award worldwide, Mr. Martin Houghton-Brown, commented that: “More and more young people across the world are taking on the challenge of the Award, and embracing learning outside the classroom. Through smartphones and AI, young people can access the world’s knowledge in seconds fingertips, but the Award is providing a fresh challenge and helping young people develop the skills that give them the ‘human edge’. From team work to creativity, determination to flexibility, the Award is helping young people across the world become World Ready. Our gathering here in Lagos is focused on significantly increasing opportunities for young people in every country to take on the Award’s challenge and opportunity.”
British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter said: “The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award exemplifies the potential of Nigeria’s young people, and that is important because Nigeria’s success matters deeply to the UK. As partners, we share a commitment to empower the next generation, create jobs, and unlock economic potential. We applaud Nigeria’s bold reforms and are optimistic that these plans will remove constraints on Nigeria’s entrepreneurial spirit and help move Nigeria forward. The UK stands ready to work together to drive growth, stability, and prosperity for the benefit of both our countries.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a global framework for non-formal education, empowering young people to develop skills, resilience, and a spirit of service. It is delivered through schools, youth organisations, and community groups worldwide.
Founded in 1956 by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, the Award has grown from a UK-based initiative into the world’s most widely recognised youth achievement framework delivered in more than 130 countries and territories, with 1.2 million participants annually. The Award equips young people aged 14 to 24 with essential skills for life and work, including confidence, empathy, teamwork, resilience and leadership, through experiential learning beyond the classroom.
As the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award approaches its 70th anniversary, more than 1,500 young people begin their Award journey every day, engaging in activities from environmental restoration and volunteering to skills development and adventurous journeys.
Duke of Edinburgh Visits Nigeria to Host Series of Events, Meets Tinubu
Border Governance: NIS, IOM Strengthen Collaboration
By: Michael Mike
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as part of its efforts at enhancing border management, has reinforced its collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The collaboration aims to strengthen institutional cooperation for effective migration management and border governance in Nigeria.
At a meeting, held in Lagos, themed “Strengthening Strategic Collaboration for Effective Migration Management and Border Governance.” NIS Zonal Coordinator, ACG Echefulam Anugwa, hailed the partnership as a model for government–international organisation collaboration, commending IOM for its continued support.
Goodwill messages from donor agencies, including the British High Commission, German Consulate, and Dutch Consulate highlighted the importance of leveraging the partnership for improved border governance.
In her keynote address, NIS Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap noted that the engagement offered a strategic opportunity to review NIS–IOM cooperation and chart a roadmap for deeper collaboration towards modernized, technology-driven border management.
She acknowledged IOM’s contribution to institutional reforms, operational capacity enhancement, and policy development, including the National Border Management Strategy.
IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission, Dimanche Sharon, on his part, commended NIS for its visionary leadership, citing its regional reference status in digital border governance through systems such as MIDAS, e-Border solutions, and enhanced identity management.
He emphasized that the engagement would help identify operational gaps, capacity needs, and areas for impactful interventions in the next phase of NIS–IOM partnership.
The two-day engagement includes high-level presentations and technical sessions, aimed at producing actionable recommendations and a joint roadmap to guide future NIS–IOM collaborations.
The initiative is expected to bolster Nigeria’s leadership in migration management and border governance in West and Central Africa.
During the engagement the two organisations, NIS and IOM issued a communique identifying their key priority areas.
The actionable deliveries on the key priority areas include: Policy & Legislation; Institutional & Capacity Development; Infrastructure Development & Equipment; Migration Management; Border Governance and Legal Identity Solution
Border Governance: NIS, IOM Strengthen Collaboration
VP Shettima: Hajiya Sutura Shagari Will Be Remembered For Her Selflessness, Compassion
Duke of Edinburgh Visits Nigeria to Host Series of Events, Meets Tinubu
Border Governance: NIS, IOM Strengthen Collaboration
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