Tinubu rejects retirement age increase for N’Assembly staff

President Bola Tinubu has rejected a bill seeking to raise the retirement age of civil servants working in the national assembly.

The bill aimed to increase the retirement age to 65 years or 40 years of service, whichever comes first.

In a letter on Tuesday read by Senate President GodswillAkpabio on the floor of the upper legislative chamber, President Tinubu stated: “I write in respect of the harmonised retirement age for legislative officers of the national assembly of the federal republic of Nigeria bill passed by the national assembly and forwarded to me for assent. Upon thorough examination and careful consultation, I have decided to withhold my assent to the bill.”

He cited the powers vested in him by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the basis for his decision, saying: “This decision is made in accordance with the powers vested in me by the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.”

President Tinubu commended the senate for the “diligent work” it put in drafting and passing the bill, saying: “I trust that this decision would be received with understanding and acceptance.”