Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, has reaffirmed that teachers in the state’s public schools must follow established rules in order to benefit from the new retirement age of 65 and length of service of 40 years.
Mr. Ayanleye Aina, the state’s Head of Service, issued the circular on Tuesday in Osogbo, the state capital.
According to the circular, anyone interested in taking advantage of the new raised retirement age must follow the procedures outlined.
According to the requirements, instructors who wish to benefit from the plan must be members of an education cadre recognised by the scheme of service.
It also states that the officer must be registered with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, be medically fit as determined by a certified medical doctor, and not be subject to any disciplinary action.
It further stated that the eligible officer must apply six months before reaching the age of sixty or thirty-five years of service, whichever comes first.
The instructions further said that the application must be endorsed by the eligible officer’s Head Teacher/Principal and delivered to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, among other things.
It did, however, state that the time of prolongation was not pensionable.
It directed the Ministry of Finance and the State Universal Basic Education Board to stop paying salaries to those who have already reached the new retirement age without meeting the prerequisites.
The circular reads:
“I wish to refer to our Circulars Ref. Nos. SMD.61/VOL.III/36 dated 31st May, 2022 and SMD.61/Vol.IV/52 dated 20th October, 2023 on the above subject.
“I reiterate that the conditions stated in the aforementioned Circulars still subsist.
“Consequently, all those already enjoying the new retirement age and length of service without fulfilling the necessary prerequisites have, by this circular, cease to enjoy such benefits until compliance with the circulars.
“For the purpose of emphasis, for any officer to enjoy the new retirement age and length of service, the concerned officer is requested to ensure that the guidelines were strictly adhered to.”
“For avoidance of doubt, a copy of the guidelines under reference is hereby attached. Relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government are requested to ensure wide circulation of this Circular and strict compliance.”
cc: Punch Ng
