The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has signed an Executive Order increasing the retirement age of the academic staff of some state-owned tertiary institutions from 60 to 65 years.
The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Muhammad Sani- Bello, disclosed this to journalists at a media briefing in Kaduna.
He said the decision followed last Tuesday’s meeting between the governor and the leadership of academic unions of all state-owned tertiary institutions.
Sani-Bello said the unions presented five demands and Governor Sani promised to address the issue of teachers retirement age within 48 hours.
He said: “There were five fundamental requests. Number one had to do with outstanding salaries and welfare benefits of the staff of these institutions. On that, His Excellency has graciously agreed to consider those outstanding payments and benefits.
“But of course, given the financial constraints that the state is facing, affordable amounts would be paid in staggered form until the outstanding liability is redeemed. That was the resolution.
“The next issue had to do with funding the institutions. We all know that since the implementation of the Treasury Single Account system in Kaduna State, tertiary institutions have been affected.
“They complained about funding which they require to run the day-to-day activities of the institutions. As a prelude to a complete reversal of the inclusion of tertiary institutions from TSA, His Excellency has also graciously agreed to commence sharing of the total revenue being collected by these institutions.
‘There will be sharing formula within the first quarter of next year, that will be mutually agreed which will be fair to all parties.”