By Aloysius Umalo, Makurdi
The Benue State Governor in North Central Nigeria, Hyacinth Alia has approved the implementation of a new retirement age and length of service for all categories of teachers in the state.
Governor Alia however said, the new retirement age and length of service particularly favours those recognised by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN.
According to a circular signed by the Benue State Head of Civil Service, Dr. Moses Ode, the new implementation takes effect from May 2023 following the enactment of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers by the Benue State House of Assembly which was signed into law by the out-gone administration.
Under the new approval, the new retirement age for the teaching profession is pegged at 65 years while the length of service was increased to 40 years, depending on whichever is earlier for the teachers.
A statement made available by the Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor, Mr. Tersoo Kula states that “With the new development, there will no longer be boundaries in the implementation of the harmonized retirement age or length of service for both Education officers and Teachers.”
The statement however said, “those who are not interested in tenure elongation of service were free to apply for retirement from the service in line with extant Public Service Rules.”
The statement urged Education Officers, Teachers and the Benue public to note that the Harmonised Retirement Age Law 2023 is superior to any guideline on the subject matter.
