Extending Teachers’ Retirement Age Will Block Jobs ,Says Oyo Govt

Extending Teachers’ Retirement Age Will Block Jobs, Says Oyo Govt

The Oyo State Government has rejected moves to extend the retirement age for teachers and other civil servants from 60 to 65 years, warning that such a policy would block employment opportunities for young graduates.

The Federal Government had earlier approved the extension of the retirement age for clinically skilled health workers from 60 to 65 years to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system and enhance training capacity. Following that decision, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) demanded that the same policy be applied to all categories of civil servants.

While states such as Ekiti and Niger have already adopted the policy—raising the retirement age for teachers to 65 years and years of service to 40—Oyo State has chosen not to follow suit.

Speaking at the 2nd Multidisciplinary International Conference of the Postgraduate College at Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Segun Olayiwola, said the issue had been thoroughly debated by the State Executive Council.

“It took us about five executive meetings to consider this matter. Extending the retirement age to 65 means those due to retire this year will remain for another five years,” Olayiwola said. “That would deny over 15,000 young teachers the chance of employment. This is why our government is not adopting it.”

However, educationists have called for flexibility in the policy, especially within academia. Prof. Afolakemi Oredein, Provost of the Postgraduate College at Lead City University, argued that extending service years could enhance mentorship and address brain drain.

“Extending it to 70 years for academics is not a bad idea,” she said. “We need experienced hands to mentor younger scholars and strengthen research capacity.”

Another educationist, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun, maintained that retirement in academia should depend on individual fitness and expertise. “Many experienced lecturers still have a lot to offer. Instead of letting them go, we can retain them under periodic health checks and reduced workloads,” he said.

The issue continues to stir debate among stakeholders on balancing experience retention with job creation for younger professionals.