Rep introduces bill to raise military commanders’ retirement age

By Hannah Nathan, Warri

The House of Representatives has approved a bill for a second reading that would raise the military retirement age to 65 years old or 40 years of service.

The bill, which was introduced by Jonathan Gaza, was discussed on Thursday and then approved for a second reading.

By raising the retirement age for officers from 60 to 65 years old and the number of service years from 35 to 40, the bill proposes to alter Section 30 of the Principal Act.

The age of retirement for personnel of the armed forces shall be 40 years of service or 65 years of age, whichever comes first, regardless of anything to the contrary in the Principal Act, according to the proposed change.

Additionally, the law aims to safeguard senior military officials who are forced to quit as a result of the appointment of service chiefs.

Additionally, if the legislation becomes law, officers who are required to retire to be appointed as service chiefs will be hired as service consultants.

Any Senior Serving Member of the Armed Forces of the Federation who is forced to leave their position due to the appointment of an officer of a lower rank as the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, or Chief of Air Staff shall, as of the commencement of this Bill, be employed by the Chief of Defence Staff as Senior technical consultants for the training of those officers.

The bill was trimmed back and sent to the House.