Why Buhari Won’t Approve 65-Year Retirement Age for Workers

Patrick OdeyMay 23, 2023

1 minute read

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) recently demanded an upward review of the retirement age and length of service for civil servants in the country.

The NLC president, Joe Ajaero, made this call during the 2023 Workers’ Day celebrations in Abuja, citing the need to harmonize the retirement age across all sectors of the public service.

However, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Festus Keyamo, has dismissed this demand as unrealistic and impracticable.

Keyamo, who is also the chief spokesperson for the APC presidential campaign (2019 & 2023), said President Muhammadu Buhari will not approve the proposed 65-year retirement age for workers in Nigeria.

According to Keyamo, the process to effect such a change would require a constitutional amendment that cannot be completed before the end of Buhari’s tenure. He said the issue of retirement age would be a matter for the next administration to deal with.

Keyamo also hinted that Buhari will hand over power to President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023. He said Buhari will confer national honours on Tinubu and Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima on May 25, 2023.

Keyamo’s statement has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some supporting the NLC’s demand and others backing the minister’s position.

Some have also expressed doubts about the legitimacy of Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election, alleging electoral malpractice and interference by foreign powers.