One of the requests made by leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) during this year’s May Day celebration is that government should extend the retirement age of Nigerian workers from 60 to 65years.
Weekend Hope speaks with Nigerians on the issue.
Excerpts:

By Precious Orunduyi, Olamide Iwala, Peace Oloruntoba,Precious Oloruntoba Charity Michael & Vivian Deladem

Miss Akintunde

I don’t think it is fair to force people to work longer. They have the right to rest and enjoy their retirement. Besides, it will block opportunities for younger people to enter the workforce.

Mr. Oloruntoba

Extending the retirement age will allow people to contribute more to the economy and support their families for a longer period. It is a win-win situation.

Daniel Akinte

Well, it doesn’t really make a difference, but the thing is, it will be good as well. I will just say the extra five years is just to compensate the elderly people who have been in the system.

Emmanuel Adeniran

I think the retirement age should be extended and the welfare of organisations and individual’s health should be prioritised too.

Festus Olaiya

Extending the retirement age to 65years makes a lot of sense. Many graduates face significant delays in securing their first job. By the time they finally enter the workforce and contribute meaningfully, reaching the current retirement age might feel premature.
An extension would allow them to leverage their skills and experience for a longer period, contributing to the economy and building more substantial financial security for their later years.

Dr. Okoro

The retirement age should actually be reduced, not increased. People are living longer, but they are not necessarily healthier. We should prioritise their well-being and allow them to retire earlier.
Then, we should also put the unemployed youths into consideration. If the retirement age is extended beyond sixty to sixty-five years, there will not be vacancies for our graduates.

Mrs. Boluwaji Balogun

I think it is a great idea. With the current economic situation, people need more time to save for retirement. It will also give them a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Christiana Tomoloju

In my opinion, retirement age in Nigeria should be 60 years. And it is essential to put social retirement programmes, economic values and structures in place when discussing the issue of retirement age in Nigeria. For me, sixty years is the suitable retirement age as it will allow Nigerians to enjoy their golden years.

Olopele Lawrence

Extending the retirement age to 65 years is not out of place. We cannot pretend to be unaware of the fact that many people are living longer and healthier. We also cannot feign ignorance of the financial pressures on pension systems and the need for experienced workers to contribute to the economy.
But those approaching retirement age should be given options and support to transition smoothly, ensuring their dignity and financial security.

Henry Oluseye

To me, retiring at 60years is okay. At least when people retire, they will be useful for themselves, able to move around and do a few things. It will also give room for recruitment of new people.

Seyi Okunola

I don’t think the retirement age in Nigeria should be extended to age 65. One of the reasons is unemployment. If people retire at the age of sixty years, it will not give room for other people to be gainfully employed, either in the public service or the private sector.
If youths are not gainfully employed they will like to survive; in the course of surviving they will indulge themselves in so many things, both legal and illegal. It is worrisome when they involve themselves in illegal means of surviving. Some may get involved in prostitution, cultism, armed robbery and they render the society useless. It is very important that the government pegs the retirement age at sixty years, because when people are getting old, they might end up not being productive.