By Blessing Egbo
President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to four bills recently passed by the National Assembly.
They include the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022 and the Nigeria Law Reform Commission Act, 2022.
Others are the National Biotechnology Development Agency Act, 2022 and the Federal Medical Centre, Hong (Establishment) Act, 2022.
The Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act provides a new retirement age for teachers in Nigeria.
Section 1 states that they shall compulsorily retire on the attainment of 65 years of age or 40 years of pensionable service.
This is against the previous retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of service.
Section 3 provides that the Public Service Rule or any Legislation that requires a person to retire from the Public Service at 60 years of age or after 35 years of Service shall not apply to teachers.
The Nigeria Law Reform Commission Act, 2022, repeals the Nigeria Law Reform Commission Act, Cap. N118, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Enact the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act, 2022.
The National Biotechnology Development Agency Act, 2022, provides a legal framework for the activities of the National Biotechnology Development Agency.
They are to carry out research, create and develop public awareness in biotechnology to encourage private sector participation in the biotechnology industry in Nigeria.
The Act establishing the Federal Medical Centre, Hong, Adamawa State, provides a Legal framework for its due management and administration.
The Medical Centre will be headed by a Medical Director who shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister of Health.