The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Wing, has called on the Lagos State Government to formally implement the 65-year retirement age for teachers, arguing that the extension would recognise educators’ experience and contributions to the state’s education system.

The State Chairman of the union, Comrade Akintoye Hassan, made the call during his address at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Lagos on Tuesday, themed “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping Our Futures.”

Mr Hassan said the retirement extension was backed by the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act 2022, signed into law by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He urged the Lagos State Government to use the occasion of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day to formally announce the policy’s implementation in the state.

According to him, Lagos teachers had consistently justified the state’s reputation as the “Centre of Excellence” through outstanding performance and achievements at national and international levels.

“Lagos State has, over the years, earned its pride of place as the Centre of Excellence, a pacesetter, and a cynosure among the comity of states in Nigeria. The teachers of Lagos State have consistently justified this reputation through their outstanding performance and remarkable achievements,” he said.

The NUT chairman said retaining experienced teachers was essential to strengthening the education system, stressing that protecting the teaching profession must go beyond celebrating teachers on special occasions.

He said “Standing with teachers” should include improving their working conditions, welfare, and professional development; providing adequate teaching resources and infrastructure; protecting them from insecurity; and creating opportunities for career progression.

The NUT State Chairman also called for sustained improvements in school security, saying teachers should be able to teach without fear while parents should have confidence in their children’s safety.

The union further demanded the appointment of Headmaster-Generals from among serving head teachers in public primary schools, similar to the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary structure in the secondary school system.

He explained that the proposed Headmaster-Generals would provide stronger academic leadership, instructional supervision, mentoring, and professional support for primary schools.

The NUT also called for continued investment in school infrastructure, including conducive classrooms, adequate furniture, functional laboratories and libraries, proper sanitation, staff rooms, and a reliable water supply.

On teachers’ wellbeing, the union urged the government to give greater attention to stress and health management, proposing that wellness and stress-management training should form part of teachers’ continuous professional development.

“A healthy teacher is an effective teacher,” Hassan said.

The union also urged the state government to restore the Annual Merit Award for Teachers, which it said had not been held since 2022.

Hassan said the award had previously served as an important platform for recognising excellence, dedication and outstanding contributions by teachers in public primary and secondary schools.

He argued that Its restoration would motivate teachers, encourage professionalism and innovation, and reinforce the government’s recognition of their contribution to education.

The NUT chairman commended Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration for its attention to education over the past eight years, describing the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration as particularly significant because it was the last under the present administration.

He also appreciated Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat for his contributions to education, human capital development, technology and youth development.

Akintoye said the union expected gains in the education sector to be sustained under the incoming administration, particularly in teachers’ welfare, school security, infrastructure and professional development.

“We therefore look forward to a future in which the welfare of teachers, the security of our schools, improvement of infrastructure, professional development and the overall quality of education remain firmly on the agenda of the incoming administration,” he said.

However, he pledged that the union would continue to maintain a cordial and productive relationship with the government while advocating policies that promote teachers’ welfare and the advancement of education in Lagos State.

He also urged teachers to uphold the ethics of the profession, assuring them that the union would continue to engage the government constructively and defend the dignity of teaching.

He further emphasised that the theme of the celebration placed responsibilities on government, unions, education administrators, parents, communities and teachers to collectively strengthen the education system.

“If we all fulfil our responsibilities, then the education system will become stronger,” he said. (The Nation)