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The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called on the Federal Government to introduce a harmonised retirement policy that fixes the retirement age at 65 years or 35 years in service across all categories of public servants. The union made the demand during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, arguing that the current system is inconsistent and unfair.
According to TUC President Festus Osifo, existing retirement structures create disparities within the civil service, where some sectors enjoy extended service years while others are forced to exit earlier despite possessing valuable expertise. He said such inconsistencies weaken productivity and deny Nigeria the benefit of experienced professionals who could still contribute meaningfully to governance and development. 
Osifo added that aligning retirement rules would improve fairness, efficiency, and morale in the public sector, while also ensuring continuity in key institutions such as education, research, and technical agencies. The labour body stressed that retaining experienced workers longer would strengthen institutional memory and improve policy implementation across government agencies. 
Labour leaders also urged the government to engage stakeholders in broader civil service reforms, warning that unresolved disparities in wages, pensions, and retirement policies continue to fuel dissatisfaction among workers. They maintained that a unified retirement framework is necessary for a more stable and productive public service system. 
