Kaduna Raises Tertiary Staff Retirement Age

The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has signed an executive order increasing the retirement age of academic staff in state-owned tertiary institutions to 65 years.

This decision, however, depends on the staff meeting certain eligibility requirements. The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Muhammad Bello, during a press briefing.

Prof. Bello explained that this move followed discussions between the governor and academic union representatives from these institutions. The unions had presented five key demands, one of which was the adjustment of the retirement age. Bello noted that the governor addressed this particular issue within 48 hours by signing the order, known as Executive Order Number 2 of 2024. This change applies to institutions such as Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria, the College of Education Gidan Waya, and the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

The commissioner highlighted the government’s commitment to implementing the new policy across all state-owned tertiary institutions. The order took effect immediately after the governor signed it. Bello also mentioned that other issues raised by the unions, such as outstanding salaries and welfare benefits, were carefully considered by the governor.

“There were five fundamental requests,” Bello said. “The first had to do with outstanding salaries and welfare benefits for the staff of these institutions. His Excellency has graciously agreed to consider those outstanding payments and benefits. However, given the financial constraints that the state is facing, affordable amounts will be paid in staggered form until the outstanding liability is redeemed.”

Funding for the institutions was another issue discussed. Bello noted that since the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system in the state, tertiary institutions had faced challenges in accessing funds for their operations. The governor agreed to address this by allowing a sharing formula for the revenue collected by these institutions. Bello stated that this formula would be finalized and implemented in the first quarter of the coming year.

On the topic of retirement age, Bello pointed out that it is a national policy for academic staff at similar institutions across the country to retire at 65 years. “Unfortunately, Kaduna State had been left behind,” he said, adding that this executive order aligns the state’s policy with national standards.

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