The Nigerian Senate has moved to scrap the age limitation policy by Nigerian employers.
Daily Report Nigeria reports that the Senate called on employers in the country to relax age requirements for employment.
It also urged the Federal Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity, FMLP along with other relevant agencies to discourage public and private employers from depriving millions of individuals of employment based on age restrictions.
The upper legislative chamber of Nigeria mandated the ministry to promptly develop policies that promote equality of opportunity and treatment in accessing employment at all levels.
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The development followed a motion titled, “Age Requirement Pre-condition for Employment in Nigeria, Urgent Need for Intervention,” sponsored by Benue South Senatorial District representative, Abba Moro.
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Moro explained that age limits or pre-conditions for employment violated Nigeria’s Constitution, specifically Chapter 4, Section 42 (2), which guaranteed every citizen the right to freedom from discrimination.
According to him, the provision of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) defined employment discrimination in economic terms as a violation of human rights that leads to a waste of human talent, negatively impacting productivity and economic growth.
The lawmaker highlighted that the provision also contributed to socio-economic inequality, which undermined social cohesion and solidarity.
Unfortunately, he stated that the situation over time birthed age fraud within the civil service and other organizations in the country.
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Moro said:
“It is pathetic that a graduate in Nigeria who could not get a job upon graduation and decided to go back to school with the hope that a higher qualification, vis-a-vis a second or masters degree could give him a better employment opportunity is thrown into a career paradox when upon completion of his second degree, he comes out to find that he is now above the age of employment and therefore not employable by the sole reason of his age.
“It is ironic that a graduate in this country can serve in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at age 30 but cannot be gainfully employed on the fact that he/she is now above 30 years.
“The circumstances described in the foregoing present the predicament of the Nigerian youths who has the requisite qualification, knowledge, and skills and are ready to work but are disqualified or excluded on the sole and unjustifiable ground that he/she is above the age limit by reason of his/her birth.”
