In a landmark policy shift aimed at strengthening the foundational pillars of its education system, the Kaduna State Government, under Governor Uba Sani, has announced a comprehensive enhancement of service conditions for teachers. This move directly addresses long-standing concerns about teacher retention, motivation, and the distribution of experienced educators across the state.
Effective August 1, 2025, the mandatory retirement age for teachers in Kaduna State has been extended from 60 to 65 years. Concurrently, the maximum years of service have been increased from 35 to 40 years. This policy aligns Kaduna with the national Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022, which legally recognizes the unique and critical role of educators by exempting them from the standard public service retirement thresholds.
Beyond retaining experience, the government has introduced a special rural posting allowance. This financial incentive is a strategic tool to tackle the perennial challenge of attracting and retaining qualified teachers in remote and hard-to-reach communities. Often, these areas suffer from a severe shortage of experienced staff, which widens the educational gap between urban and rural students. This allowance acknowledges the additional hardship and cost associated with such postings and aims to make them more appealing.
Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, stated that the decision underscores Governor Sani’s commitment to worker welfare and educational revitalization. “This policy is designed to honour years of dedicated service, retain invaluable experience in our classrooms, and motivate greater productivity for the benefit of our children and the future of Kaduna State,” Maiyaki explained. The administration views seasoned teachers as central to delivering quality education and sustaining improved learning outcomes.
The practical implications of this policy are significant. Retaining teachers for an additional five years helps preserve institutional memory and pedagogical expertise within schools. It can also provide crucial mentorship for younger teachers, fostering a more stable and collaborative school environment. However, successful implementation requires careful planning to ensure it doesn’t inadvertently block promotion pipelines for younger educators. The state government has indicated that detailed implementation guidelines will be issued by the State Civil Service Commission to navigate these complexities.
A circular formalizing the approval has been issued by the Office of the Governor, signed by the Permanent Secretary (Establishment), Mrs. Felicia I. Makama, directing all relevant institutions to comply. Governor Sani expressed confidence that these measures will collectively boost teacher motivation, improve retention rates, and elevate educational standards across Kaduna, reinforcing his administration’s broader agenda of investing in human capital development and strengthening public institutions.
This multi-pronged approach—extending careers and incentivizing service in underserved areas—positions Kaduna State as a proactive player in tackling systemic educational challenges, setting a potential benchmark for other states in Nigeria to follow.
