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Tag: Niger teachers

  • Niger raises teachers’ retirement age to 65, announces N20,000 wage award

    Niger raises teachers’ retirement age to 65, announces N20,000 wage award

    The Niger State Government has approved a new retirement age of 65 years for teachers across the state, effective from January 1, 2026.

    Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago made the announcement during the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration organized by the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Minna.

    He also disclosed that the retirement age for professors has been raised to 70 years, explaining that the decision aims to ensure that teachers’ knowledge and values are passed on to future generations.

    Bago further announced the lifting of the suspension on the payment of PTA levies, noting that payments will now be supervised by the Ministry of Education to guarantee effective utilization.

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    Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to teachers’ welfare, the governor revealed that all teachers in the state would receive a wage award of ₦20,000 next month. He also donated an 18-seater bus to the NUT Niger State chapter to support its activities.

    The Governor then acknowledged teachers for their immense role in nation building reiterating government’s commitment towards protecting the interest of teachers.

    The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers Niger State Chapter, Comrade Adamu Mohammed Akayago in his remarks said the theme of this year’s event signifies the reality that teachers are not merely transmitters of knowledge but architects of collective future and as such the welfare, dignity and professional status of teachers must remain a top priority for all stakeholders.

    The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer National Examinations Council NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi while delivering the keynote address tagged, “Together for teachers, together for tomorrow: The imperative for a unified national education strategy,” described teachers as strategic national security assets and key drivers in the formation of civic responsibility.

    He stressed the need for renewed commitment to add value to teachers and empower them.

  • Niger teachers demand improved welfare, extension of retirement age

    Niger teachers demand improved welfare, extension of retirement age

    Teachers in Niger state are demanding improved welfare in terms of salaries and allowances, regular promotion and implementation of the extension of retirement age.

    The Niger chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Adamu Akayago made this call during the commemoration of the 2024 World Teachers Day celebration in Minna.

    According to him, the State Government needs speedy implementation of the upward review of the salary of teachers, stressing that the biting economic realities in the country occasioned by the hike in price of Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS) has not made life easy for teachers.

    The chairman lamented the challenges facing teachers across especially primary school teachers, adding the effort and vision of the government in education would be a mirage if adequate attention are not paid to teachers’ welfare and adequate instructional materials are not provided to schools.

    Akayago said that schools have not received basic teaching materials since they resumed for the 2024/2025 academic session while admissions of students into JSS 1 and SS 1 are yet to be released.

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    Speaking on the extension of retirement age for teachers, the NUT chairman said that the Federal and some State governments have commenced the implementation of the law appealing to the state government to domesticate this gesture.

    Niger Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Hadiza Mohammed assured that the State Government was committed to providing professional development opportunities, promoting mental health, and advocating for improved working conditions for all educators.

    She applauded teachers for imparting knowledge, shaping character, instilling values, inspiring generations and laying the foundation for lifelong learning.