Bayelsa teachers to enjoy longer career span as Govt raises retirement age to 65

By Tapre Timine, Bayelsa

Bayelsa State Government has announced on Monday that teachers can now look forward to an extended career span, following the signing of a new law that raises their retirement age to 65 years.

Governor Douye Diri officially gave his assent to the Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers Law, 2025, at a brief ceremony held at his office on Monday, March 10, 2025.

The signing of the law came shortly after the Bayelsa State House of Assembly passed the Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers Bill, 2025.

It was learnt that the legislation aims to improve the welfare of teachers in the state’s public primary and secondary schools by allowing them to remain in service until they attain 65 years of age or complete 40 years of pensionable service.

Under the provisions of the newly enacted law, the existing Public Service Rules, which mandate retirement at 60 years of age or after 35 years of service, will no longer be applicable to teachers within Bayelsa State’s educational sector.

The above exemption is specifically designed to address the unique role and contributions of educators in shaping the future of the state.

Also, the law clarifies that the term “teacher” encompasses not only education officers and classroom instructors but also technical instructors responsible for vocational, trade, or technical subjects in secondary schools, colleges, or professional departments.

Headmasters and headmistresses in primary schools who hold qualifications recognised by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria are also covered by the new legislation.

The new law read: “Teachers in the State shall by this law retire on attainment of 65 years of age or 40 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier.”