The Senate has urged employers of labour in the country to de-emphasise age requirements as a precondition for employment in Nigeria.
The Senate resolution was a sequel to the consideration and adoption of a motion at plenary on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
The motion titled “Age Requirement Precondition for Employment in Nigeria, Urgent Need for Intervention” was sponsored by Senator Abba Moro (PDP- Benue).
Mr Moro, in his debate, said the age limit as a precondition for employment violates Chapter 4, section 42(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which guarantees every citizen the right to freedom from discrimination.
He said the provision of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) had defined employment discrimination in economic terms as a violation of human rights that entails a wast£ of human talents with detrimental effects on productivity and economic growth.
Mr Moro said it also generated socioeconomic inequalities that undermined social cohesion, solidarity and acted as a brake on reducing poverty. [continue on next slide]