The 65-Year Retirement Debate: Oyo Breaks Ranks as Other States Extend Service Years

The Oyo State Government has rejected the proposed extension of the retirement age for teachers and other civil servants from 60 to 65 years, insisting that the move would block employment opportunities for younger graduates and stifle job creation in the state.

In February, the Federal Government approved the extension of the retirement age from 60 to 65 years for clinically skilled health workers, explaining that the policy was aimed at strengthening the quality of healthcare services and improving the nation’s capacity to train professionals in the sector. Encouraged by that development, the Nigeria Labour Congress, on May 1, called for the policy to be expanded to include all categories of civil servants across the federation.

Some states have since embraced the idea. The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Sunday announced the immediate extension of the retirement age for teachers from 60 to 65 years, with years of service raised from 35 to 40. Niger State followed on Monday with a similar approval, which will take effect from January 1, 2026.

But Oyo State has chosen a different path. Speaking at the 2nd Multidisciplinary International Conference of the Postgraduate College, held at Lead City University, Ibadan, on Wednesday, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Segun Olayiwola, revealed that the State Executive Council had considered the issue thoroughly but concluded that the policy would have long-term economic and social implications for youths seeking employment.

“It took us about five executive meetings to discuss this matter, and the memo that came to the house was for teachers only. Then other civil servants asked, ‘What about us?’” Olayiwola said. “In Niger State, where it has been implemented, what is their population, and how many graduates are they turning out yearly? If we allow it to be raised to 65, those who are due to retire this year will remain for another five years. That means the 15,000 teachers we employed in primary and secondary schools in Oyo State would have been deprived of that opportunity because their positions would have been blocked. That is why it is not an agenda for this government to increase the retirement age to 65.”

While the state government maintains its position, some education experts believe that extending the retirement age could strengthen mentorship and sustain academic excellence. The Provost of the Postgraduate College at Lead City University, Prof Afolakemi Oredein, argued that raising the age limit would allow the system to benefit from the experience of senior academics who still have much to contribute.

“When you are mentoring, we need well-experienced people to guide those coming up,” she said. “Increasing it to 70 years is not a bad idea. It means experienced professors can nurture younger ones to become better researchers.”

She further explained that the policy could also serve as a measure against the growing wave of brain drain in Nigerian universities by retaining competent and seasoned mentors within the country.

Echoing similar sentiments, an educationist and human capital development expert, Prof Godwin Oyedokun, observed that retirement in academia should not be tied to a fixed age but should depend on an individual’s health, strength, and expertise.

“I attended a retirement ceremony at the University of Ibadan for a senior colleague who was older but very agile,” Oyedokun recalled. “I wondered why someone with such knowledge should be retiring now. These people often go on to do other things after retirement. Why not retain them a bit longer to utilise their experience? The older you grow, the more experience you have. For those still strong and active, they should be retained, but with reduced workload and periodic health checks to determine their fitness.”

For now, Oyo State’s decision underscores the tension between creating opportunities for younger generations and retaining experience within the public service. As debates continue, the state’s policy appears to favour youth employment over prolonged service—an approach that may shape future labour reforms in Nigeria’s civil service landscape.

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