NMA urges FG to implement 65-year retirement age for health workers

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on the Federal Government to urgently implement the 65-year retirement age for clinical health workers, saying the measure would help retain experienced professionals amid the country’s shortage of skilled healthcare personnel.

NMA President, Dr Afekhide Omoti, made the call on Friday in Abuja at a press briefing following the association’s National Executive Council meeting held from August 24 to 28, 2026.

Omoti said the continued delay in implementing the retirement age was concerning at a time when Nigeria was losing experienced doctors and other health professionals to migration.

“He said: “At a time when Nigeria is experiencing a significant shortage of skilled healthcare professionals due to migration and other factors, retaining experienced clinicians within the system is essential.”

The NMA president urged the Federal Government to “urgently implement the retirement age of 65 years for clinical health workers without undue and unnecessary limitations.”

According to him, extending the retirement age would provide a palliative measure while the country tackles the broader challenges of healthcare workforce shortages and migration.

The association said the retirement-age demand was part of a wider review of challenges affecting the health sector, including healthcare infrastructure, workers’ welfare, insecurity, migration, drug and substance abuse and poor road infrastructure.

Omoti acknowledged government investments in healthcare infrastructure but stressed that such efforts would not be enough without corresponding attention to the workforce.

“Infrastructure alone cannot guarantee an effective health system without a motivated, adequately protected and properly remunerated health workforce,” he said.

The NMA urged the government to match infrastructure development with investments in doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other healthcare professionals.

The association also linked the retirement-age demand to the wider brain-drain crisis, saying difficult working conditions, insecurity, inadequate remuneration and limited career opportunities were encouraging health professionals to leave the country.

“This trend must be urgently reversed,” Omoti said.

The association called for the conclusion and implementation of the outstanding collective bargaining agreement between the Federal Government and health workers, urging that its financial implications be captured in the 2027 budget.

On insecurity, the NMA called for stronger protection of healthcare workers and facilities, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Omoti disclosed that a medical practitioner from Niger State had reportedly remained in captivity for approximately four months, describing the situation as unacceptable.

“Healthcare workers are essential to the survival and well-being of our communities. They should not have to choose between saving their patients and protecting their own lives,” he said.

The association also urged governments at all levels to improve roads leading to healthcare facilities, particularly in rural and underserved communities, saying poor roads delay emergency care, impede referrals and make it difficult for health workers to reach patients.

It further called for drug and substance abuse among Nigerian youths to be declared a national public health priority, alongside expanded mental health and addiction treatment services nationwide.

Omoti said the NMA remained committed to engaging governments and other stakeholders to find sustainable solutions to the challenges confronting Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“We cannot retain healthcare professionals in an environment where their lives are threatened. We cannot effectively address brain drain without improving the welfare and working conditions of healthcare workers,” he said.

The NMA said retaining experienced clinicians through a 65-year retirement age would help preserve institutional knowledge and expertise in the health system while longer-term measures to address workforce shortages and migration are pursued.