Niger Assembly Raises Retirement Age for Academic Staff and Passes Diaspora Agency Bill

The Niger State Assembly has raised lecturers’ retirement age to 70, with professors retiring at 75.

Lawmakers also passed a Diaspora Agency Bill to boost investment, trade, and cultural exchange.

The Niger State House of Assembly has approved a bill that increases the retirement age for academic staff in state-owned institutions from 65 to 70 years, while professors will now retire at 75.

This legislation was enacted after a report by the Standing Committee on Education was adopted, which was presented by its chairman, Hon. Mohammed Sani Idris from the Tafa constituency.

According to the committee, this extension aligns with national standards and is expected to help institutions retain experienced lecturers, strengthen teaching capacity, and improve overall educational quality.

In the same session, lawmakers also passed the Niger State Diaspora Agency Bill, based on a report presented by the Committee on Women Affairs, Humanitarian and Disaster Management, chaired by Deputy Speaker Hon. Afiniki Eunice Dauda. The new agency will serve as a platform for engaging the state’s diaspora community, promoting investment, cultural exchange, trade, and development initiatives.

Additionally, the Assembly directed the Commissioner and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works to appear before its members due to their failure to implement previously mandated road safety measures. This resolution stems from a report by the Standing Committee on Works and Infrastructure, chaired by Hon. Arc. Abubakar Suleiman Gomna (Bosso).

The Speaker of the House commended the committees for their diligence and ordered the Clerk to send the finalized copies of the bills to the executive for approval.