A bill for an Act to eradicate age discrimination against job seekers in Federal Government agencies and other related matters passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Sergius Ogun (PDP-Edo), seeks to stop the disqualification of qualified job seekers in Federal Government agencies on the account of age.

Leading the debate, Ogun said that the consideration of the bill would ensure that no Nigerian job seeker was denied employment on the account of age.

He said that the bill would also demonstrate the commitment of the House of Representatives to making laws for the good of the citizens.

Ogun said that over the years, the lack of legislation had led to the restrictions placed on employment age by multinational, private sector and even government agencies.

“The rationale for this bill is to ensure that no artificial barrier is allowed to preponderate over merit, which rarely has anything to do with age,” he said.

The lawmaker, however, said that certain jobs in field of sports or the military required youthfulness and agility, adding that judging by international best practices, age limitation in that case did not amount to discrimination.

Ogun said that those who were denied employment because of factors such as age often became depressed and could later develop various types of life-threatening diseases.

In his contributions, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Yussuf Lassun (APC-Osun), said that the 1999 Constitution had already provided legislation which outlawed any form of discrimination.

He, however, said that a standard should be set, while such sections of the Constitution should be tested in court by anyone who experienced discrimination.

Lassun stressed that the bill, if passed into law, would be replication of the section of the Constitution which stated that no Nigerian should suffer any form of discrimination.

In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Mr Yakubu Dogara, forwarded the bill to the House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity for further legislative action.


https://politicsngr.com/bill-eradicate-age-induced-discrimination-employment-passes-second-reading/

Please isn't it ripe to pass a bill that will eradicate discrimination against LGBTs in Nigeria?

eh eh! now they are talking!
its not funny after one spends many years in school, including ASUU strike and graduates at the age of 28, all for you to see jobs adverts stating that you must not be more than 26years!

m

State of origin too!!

They want to keep like-minded swindling colleagues of theirs in banks so that they can siphon money.

Good bill.

It should affect both public and private sector

Welcome development

what of depopulation of northern hegemony in the federal government ministries, parastatals and agencies.

It’s alright. I think I am beginning to feel a good energy from the NASS men.
Kudos!

when minimum wage go start take effect

I totally agree..
With factors like ASUU strike and other uncontrollable factors faced by students; they shouldn’t be made to suffer.
Imagine a bank pegging employment at 23.. How ridiculous!!

When are we going to have bill to eradicate poverty finally in Nigeria.

This is a welcome development

It can only be from a PDP member.
APC members in the Senate are more concerned as to how to impeach their colleagues than on how to better the lives of the people

Good. For people wey don old like me

Good one!

ybman:
If I own an establishment, will I then employ a older person instead of a young energetic person?
I think this will only apply to government jobs...

Does age indicate the productivity of an individual? Would you rather kick out an older person who is competent and hire a lad who doesnt know his onions just because he is young?

Hmmn! Amazing development. Ageism is a big problem. A person should be employed based on intellectual strengths/potential and not age. Discrimination against FLAT FOOTED candidates in the military should be stopped. Terrorists don't care about your foot when they recruit, they just give you a gun. Back to the topic, this is great I hope it becomes law

Qsscruz:
.

Until then

Qsscruz:
.

Until then

GreatEngineer:
When are we going to have bill to eradicate poverty finally in Nigeria.

Poverty can not be eradicated but can be reduced

Nice development

They should ensure that age restrictions as regards job seekers is dealth with, Nigeria graduates face too many obstacles to graduate from school which ASUU strike is one of. This unforeseen circumstances has led many to manipulate their birth certificates

Nice one

Jaynom:
Hmmn! Amazing development. Ageism is a big problem. A person should be employed based on intellectual strengths and not age. Discrimination against FLAT FOOTED candidates in the military should be stopped. Terrorists don't care about your foot when they recruit, they just give you a gun. Back to the topic, this is great I hope it becomes law

Gbam!

ybman:
If I own an establishment, will I then employ a older person instead of a young energetic person?

Certainly, it will only apply to government agencies.
Yet, the once withen d age limits are still unemployed...

The point is, Merit should decide that, not Age.

While I think these companies should be more considerate with regards to age, I can understand some situations.

First, tertiary institutions don't train employees for a particular company, hence, the need for companies to mould the employee to their taste. For some this can take some years of training and learning on the job which makes it necessary to recruit youngsters.

Secondly, the youngsters are most likely single, energetic and have less responsibilities. They are also flexible and highly mobile. This means that their jobs are the only thing they have to focus on, at least for the short term. It will be nice to get the best of their youthful period.

Finally, you might need employees who have served the company for many years and still have time to take up management positions.

Even football clubs go for certain age brackets when looking at the long term.


But I think 30 years and below is fine for such peculiar needs, not all those below 24 with 10 years experience.

I'm talking about graduate trainee, and not all job types

Qsscruz:


Does age indicate the productivity of an individual? Would you rather kick out an older person who is competent and hire a lad who doesnt know his onions just because he is young?

no mind am na mumu dey worry am its sad some nigerians dont know age is just number