Tension In Edo as Gov Okpebholo Moves to Extend Retirement Age to Keep Loyalists In Govt, Critics Call Plan “Heartless, Anti-Youth”

By Osaro Michael, Benin

Pandemonium has erupted across Edo State following reports that the state government in collaboration with labour unions, are making moves to announce a controversial policy extending the retirement age of civil servants to 65 years or 40 years of service, a move critics have condemned as “heartless, unjust, and dangerously out of touch with reality.”

The proposal, expected to be unveiled on Workers’ Day in May, is already being described by many as a direct assault on the future of thousands of unemployed youths, with growing calls for its immediate withdrawal.

The bill which was signed in January 2025 by the state government has been under discussion and it is intended to allow civil servants to remain in office longer. However, its emergence at a time of rising youth unemployment has ignited intense public anger.

Across Benin City and beyond, young graduates, many of whom have spent years searching for stable employment, have reacted with disbelief and frustration.

“This is beyond policy, it is oppression in another form,” said a graduate who has been unemployed for over three years. “You cannot keep extending the stay of those already in jobs while the rest of us are left with nothing. It is unfair, and it is cruel.”

Stakeholders from civil society, academia, and youth advocacy groups have roundly criticised the plan, arguing that it reflects a troubling lack of empathy and foresight.

“This is a policy without conscience,” a social commentator stated. “At a time when families are struggling and young people are desperate for opportunities, the government is choosing to tighten the system even further. It sends a very dangerous message, that the future of the youth does not matter.”

Analysts warn that the extension could significantly reduce already scarce job openings within the state’s civil service, worsening unemployment and increasing economic hardship among young people.

Labour unions backing the proposal have defended it as a necessary step to protect workers’ welfare and enhance pension security. However, this position has been met with sharp criticism from the public.

Many argue that while the welfare of current workers is important, it should not come at the expense of an entire generation locked out of employment.

“It is disappointing that labour would support something like this,” said a community leader. “This is not just about those in service today, it is about the sustainability of the system and the future of the state.”

Public discontent continues to grow, with many calling on the Edo State Government to reconsider what is increasingly being labelled an “anti-people policy.” Social platforms have been flooded with reactions, as citizens express fears that the move could deepen inequality and fuel social tension.

Some observers have also warned that proceeding with the announcement on Workers’ Day could transform what is meant to be a celebration of workers into a focal point for protest and dissent.

As the planned announcement date approaches, pressure is mounting on the government to halt and reassess the proposal. Critics insist that any meaningful policy direction must prioritise job creation, youth inclusion, and economic expansion, not measures that appear to restrict access to opportunities.

“This is a defining moment,” one analyst remarked. “Leadership is about making decisions that serve both the present and the future. Right now, this policy does neither.”

For many in Edo State, the message is clear: extending the retirement age under current conditions is not just a flawed decision, it is a step that risks undermining trust, fairness, and the prospects of an entire generation.