House of Representatives has faulted the age barrier for Nigerians seeking employment into federal service.
Babajimi Benson moved a motion under matter of urgent public importance for the house to reveal the age barrier in vacancies announced by federal government agencies.
Benson is representing Ikorodu federal constituency at the House of Representatives.
Some of the agencies include the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Prison Service, Fire Service and Standard Organisation of Nigeria.
He argued that most of the vacancies require that applicants must not be more than 30 years of age as at the time of application.
The lawmaker maintained that restriction on the basis of age is a breach of eligible applicant’s fundamental human rights as contained in chapter 4 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Adding: “Citizens who serve at the age of 30 years will be denied the opportunity to be gainfully employed by the country they laboured to serve in the sun and in the rain.
“This development will lead to young Nigerians falsifying their ages to benefit from the available vacancies, an action that would further tint the integrity of the civil service.
“I believe that employment into the federal civil service after considering federal character should be on merit and competence without age barrier.”
Benson averred he will write to all Ministries, Department, and Agencies (MDAs), concerned to consider re-opening their online portal so that people who are below 40 years can apply and be given equal opportunity.
House also resolved that the House committees on labour, employment and productivity and national planning and economic development should review the employability criteria of all MDAs to ensure that no eligible applicant is disqualified on the basis of age.