Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has signed an Executive Order increasing the retirement age for lecturers in state-owned tertiary institutions to 65 years.
The decision, which aims to align Kaduna with national standards, was announced by the state Commissioner of Education, Professor Muhammad Sani-Bello.
Speaking at a news briefing, the Commissioner described the move as a historic resolution to long-standing grievances of academic unions.
The Executive Order, signed last Thursday, applies to academic staff at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, the College of Education, Gidan Waya, and the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Sani-Bello revealed that the governor took action following a meeting held last Tuesday with management and union leaders of the affected institutions.
A Promise Fulfilled
“Governor Uba Sani promised to address the retirement age issue within 48 hours,” Professor Sani-Bello said.
He emphasised that the governor not only kept his word but demonstrated his commitment to academic development in the state.
The policy, effective immediately, has been described as a step towards improving the welfare of lecturers and aligning Kaduna with the national policy of 65 years for retirement.
A Broader Dialogue
During the meeting, union leaders presented five major demands, including outstanding salaries and welfare benefits.
Sani-Bello acknowledged that financial constraints had hindered the government’s ability to settle arrears swiftly.
However, the governor pledged to pay the debts in a staggered manner.
“The outstanding liabilities will be redeemed over time, considering the state’s financial situation,” he stated.
He added that discussions also focused on funding challenges faced by tertiary institutions under the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system.
Institutions have struggled with limited autonomy in managing their day-to-day operations due to the TSA’s centralisation of funds.
Funding Reforms on the Horizon
As a temporary solution, Governor Sani agreed to share revenue collected by the institutions.
“This revenue-sharing formula will be finalised by the first quarter of next year,” the Commissioner said.
He explained that this approach will strike a fair balance between institutional needs and the government’s financial capacity.
Aligning with National Standards
One of the most pressing issues was the retirement age for academic staff, which had lagged behind the national standard of 65 years.
“It’s a national policy, yet Kaduna State was left behind,” Professor Sani-Bello remarked.
The governor’s Executive Order now ensures parity with other states and institutions across Nigeria.
This policy change is expected to boost morale among lecturers and encourage experienced educators to remain in service longer.
A Step Towards Stability
The Commissioner highlighted the significance of the governor’s action, calling it a major victory for the education sector.
He praised the administration for listening to the voices of lecturers and addressing their concerns promptly.
By extending the retirement age, settling welfare arrears, and promising funding reforms, the government hopes to create a more stable and supportive environment for education in Kaduna State.
“This is not just about meeting demands,” Sani-Bello noted. “It’s about recognising the value of our academic staff and their contributions to society
