Niger Gov’t pass law to set teachers retirement age to 65 years, approves conditional return of PTA
By: TUNDE BOLAJI, MINNA.
The Niger State government has domesticated and passed a law at the State House of Assembly that sets the retirement age of teachers in the State at 65 years, effective from January 1, 2026.
Governor Umaru Bago disclosed this during the 2025 World Teachers Day celebration held in Minna, organized by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Niger State Chapter in collaboration with the Niger State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
The governor, who also disclosed that the retirement age for professors is now 70 years old, said the decision is to ensure that the values of teachers continue to be transferred on to generations to come.
Governor Bago equally approved the return of payment of PTA levies in schools, but the payments must be under the supervision of the Ministry of Education to ensure effective utilization.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of teachers and announced a wage award of N20,000 to be given to all teachers in the State by next month and the donation of an 18-seater Bus to NUT Niger State.
He said, henceforth, primary school teachers’ employment and promotion must be from the Local Government Service Commission, while the State Universal Basic Education Board will only have the mandate to screen and provide information in that regard.
Governor Bago used the forum to approve a retreat for teachers going into level 17 and acknowledged teachers for their immense role in nation building, adding that he will continue to protect the interests of teachers and will remove them from the bureaucracy of civil service and give them a standard service.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers Niger State Chapter, Comrade Adamu Mohammed Akayago in his remarks said the theme of this year’s event signifies the reality that teachers are not merely transmitters of knowledge but architects of the collective future, and as such the welfare, dignity, and professional status of teachers must remain a top priority for all stakeholders.
He used the medium to commend farmer Umaru Bago for his dedicated service and revolutionary disposition in transforming Niger State, adding that teachers in the State remain grateful to him for his unprecedented approval of an N80,000 minimum wage for workers, even as he highlighted some challenges that need the Government’s quick intervention.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education, Hajiya Aishatu Nuhu Yalwa, said the occasion serves as a reminder that the future of the children lies with the teachers who are promoters of values, and reiterated that the administration of Governor Umaru Bago remains committed to providing access to quality and inclusive education.
In a keynote address tagged, “Together for teachers, together for tomorrow: The imperative for a unified national education strategy,” the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer National Examinations Council NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi identified Nigeria as one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations globally
The future, he said, is entirely dependent on collective action by all relevant stakeholders to elevate and empower the teaching force.
He described teachers as strategic national security assets and key drivers in the formation of civic responsibility and concluded that there must be commitment to add value to teachers and empower them, even as he reiterated that NECO shall continue to use its data to serve as a compass for improving teaching and learning outcomes across the nation.
In their separate remarks, the Executive Chairman, Niger State Universal Basic Education, Mohammed Baba Ibrahim, Director General School Reforms, Maimuna Mohammed, the State Coordinator, Teachers Registration Council, Usman Muhammad Sani, and the State Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Idris Lafene all acknowledged the important role of teachers in nation-building.
Farmer governor Umaru Bago was also presented with an award of excellence for service delivery and commitment to the teaching profession.
Also honoured with awards were the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sen. Muhammad Sani Musa, the immediate past Commissioner for Basic Education, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, NLC Chairman, Niger State, Comrade Idris Lafene, TUC Chairman, Niger State, and the Thinklab company.
The 2025 World Teachers Day celebration has as its theme, “Together for teachers, together for tomorrow.”
