Oyebanji pledges action on teachers’ retirement age
By Boye Oyeyemi –
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has promised to look into the proposed 65-year retirement age for teachers in the state.
Oyebanji made the pledge in Ado-Ekiti while receiving the new leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), led by its Chairman, Comrade Lawrence Egbeyemi, alongside the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Kolapo Olusola.
He also assured teachers of improved welfare, an upward review of allowances for science teachers, and plans to defray outstanding gratuities before the end of his tenure.
The Governor said: “Education is the most important gift we can give our children, and you are in the business of educating them. If you are happy, you will build a future for us because the children are the future of any society. The era of looking down on teachers is over.”
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, Oyebanji described teachers as key to his administration’s human capital development agenda, stressing that their contributions directly shape the future of the state.
NUT Chairman, Egbeyemi, commended the Governor for his “genuine concern” for teachers, listing prompt salary payments, career progression to grade level 16, improved conditions, and the employment of over 2,000 teachers as landmark achievements.
He disclosed that more than 85 per cent of the union’s demands had been met, describing it as unprecedented.
