Niger State House of Assembly Convenes Public Hearing on Proposed Amendment to Retirement Age for Academic Staff in Tertiary Institutions.
The Niger State House of Assembly recently conducted a public hearing to discuss a proposed Bill aimed at amending the existing retirement age for academic staff in tertiary institutions.
The session, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Barr. (Dr) Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, who was represented by the Deputy Leader and Member for Agwara Constituency, Hon. Mohammed Nura Garba, welcomed stakeholders from various sectors to engage in meaningful dialogue regarding the implications of the legislation.
The Bill seeks to modify the provisions established in the 2020 retirement age law, with the intent to harmonize the retirement criteria for both academic and non-academic staff across state-owned tertiary institutions.
This amendment is particularly significant in light of similar legislative changes enacted at the federal level in 2012, positioning Niger State to remain competitive in the educational landscape.
During his opening remarks, Hon. Muhammad Sani Idris, Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Education and Member for Tafa Constituency, stressed the importance of stakeholder involvement in shaping the Bill.
He noted that the public hearing provided an essential platform for gathering diverse perspectives to ensure the proposed law is robust, comprehensive, and reflective of the various needs within the educational sector.
Hon. Idris highlighted the current administration’s commitment to advancing the New Niger Agenda and the necessity of fostering a strong education system capable of competing nationally.
He articulated the importance of establishing additional universities within the state while ensuring appropriate legal frameworks are in place to govern the retirement ages of academic staff.
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Mamangi, praised the proactive steps taken by the Niger State House of Assembly in broadening the scope of the Bill.
He suggested distinguishing the retirement age of professorial staff from that of their non-academic counterparts, emphasizing the need for a more effective educational infrastructure.
Furthermore, Hon. Mamangi remarked on the necessity for certain categories of non-academic staff to transition out of service before reaching the age of 65, advocating for potential outsourcing to optimize institutional efficiencies.
The public hearing attracted a diverse group of participants, including Commissioners, Vice Chancellors, Provosts, and representatives from major academic unions such as ASUU, NASUU, and COEASU.
Their presence and active participation underscored the critical importance of the Bill and highlighted the need for a collaborative and inclusive approach in its implementation.
In summary, the Niger State House of Assembly remains dedicated to enhancing the stability and competitiveness of the state’s education sector.
The public hearing marks a pivotal step towards enacting the proposed amendments to the retirement age of academic staff, and the Assembly is eager to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure the successful passage and implementation of the Bill.
