The General Secretary of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Prince Peters Adeyemi, has faulted the exclusion of non-teaching workers from the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act 2022.

The NASU leader noted that while the Act represented progress, its exclusion of non-teaching workers showed deeper systemic inequities that continued to weaken Nigeria’s education sector.

In an article titled: “Rethinking Equity in Nigeria’s Education Policy: The Neglect of Basic and Post-Basic Education Workers,” Adeyemi said teachers alone cannot drive learning outcomes.

Every school relies on a network of support staff whose contributions are indispensable, the NASU leader said.

He added: “This disparity is most evident in the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act (2022), which raised the retirement age for teachers but excluded non-teaching staff, who are equally essential to effective education delivery.

“Such policy choices contradict the constitutional commitment to educational equality and violate Nigeria’s obligations under several international conventions that promote fair labour practices and inclusive education systems.

“The Harmonised Retirement Age Act must be adopted by all states to ensure consistency. Disparities undermine national planning and labour fairness.”

“Future amendments by states that have already domesticated the law and domestication by states that are yet to do so, should extend retirement age benefits to non-teaching staff in line with Nigeria’s obligations under ILO and UNESCO frameworks.”

According to him, for Nigeria to truly realise its constitutional promise under Section 18 and fulfil its commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, government must adopt an inclusive and equitable approach to education workforce policy.

“Extending welfare protections to all categories of education workers is essential for building a functional, just and high-quality education system capable of supporting sustainable national development,” Adeyemi said.

The union leader urged the government to develop integrated welfare systems and address housing, healthcare, workplace safety, and professional development for all education workers.

Adeyemi also said government policies should be driven by constitutional mandates and international obligations, not solely by industrial action or union pressure.

The NASU general secretary stressed that improving the resources and transparency of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and State Basic Education Boards was essential for ensuring a strong foundation for national learning outcomes.