The Cross River State Government has assured teachers, organised labour and other education stakeholders of its commitment to a fair, transparent and lawful implementation of the new retirement age policy for teachers, reaffirming that the administration will continue to engage all relevant parties before taking any final decision.
The assurance was given by the Deputy Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, during a stakeholders’ engagement with representatives of organised labour and key education stakeholders held on Monday, August 3, 2026, in Calabar.
Odey stated that the Governor Otu-led administration is carefully reviewing concerns raised by stakeholders to ensure that the implementation of the policy is in full compliance with extant laws while advancing the best interests of teachers and the education sector.
He noted that the present administration recognises the indispensable role teachers play in shaping the future of the state and remains committed to policies that promote quality education while protecting the rights, welfare and dignity of education workers.
Rt. Hon. Odey urged labour unions and other stakeholders to sustain constructive dialogue with the government, stressing that consultation and mutual understanding remain the most effective means of resolving issues surrounding the policy. He reiterated that the government values the immense contributions of teachers and will continue to pursue policies that strengthen the education sector while safeguarding the welfare of its workforce.
Speaking on behalf of organised labour, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Cross River State Chapter, Comrade Gregory Olayi, explained that the unions’ concerns were prompted by a circular which they believe introduced additional conditions, including competency tests, for teachers seeking to benefit from the retirement age extension.
He observed that the Federal Government’s policy extending the retirement age of teachers to 65 years or 40 years of pensionable service does not prescribe competency tests as a prerequisite and appealed to the state government to implement the policy in line with the nationally approved guidelines.
The meeting was attended by the Head of Service, Barr. Orok Bassey Okon, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Cross River State Chapter, Comrade Gregory Olayi, who also represented the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), as well as representatives of the State Secondary Education Board and the Technical Education Board.
Deputy Governor’s Press Unit,
Government House, Calabar.
August 4, 2026
