The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urged the Federal Government to implement a 65-year retirement age for clinical health workers, arguing that retaining experienced professionals is critical to tackling Nigeria’s healthcare workforce shortage.
NMA President, Dr Afekhide Omoti, made the call on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists after the association’s National Executive Council meeting.
The NEC meeting, which held from August 24 to 28, brought together representatives of medical doctors from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Omoti said extending the retirement age had become increasingly important as Nigeria continues to lose doctors and other healthcare professionals to migration.
He described the retention of experienced clinicians as an immediate priority given the shortage of skilled personnel in the country’s health sector.
“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,” he said.
The NMA president called on the Federal Government to implement the 65-year retirement age “without undue and unnecessary limitations,” describing the policy as a potential short-term measure to ease pressure on the health workforce.
According to him, the move would allow Nigeria to retain valuable expertise while longer-term solutions to health worker shortages and migration are developed.
The association said the retirement age proposal was one of several issues considered at the NEC meeting, alongside healthcare infrastructure, workers’ welfare, insecurity, brain drain, drug and substance abuse and poor road networks.
Omoti acknowledged government efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure but stressed that physical facilities alone could not guarantee an effective health system.
“Infrastructure alone cannot guarantee an effective health system without a motivated, adequately protected and properly remunerated health workforce,” he said.
The NMA therefore called for greater investment in healthcare personnel to complement spending on hospitals and other medical facilities.
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It noted that shortages affecting doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other health professionals could undermine the ability of healthcare facilities to provide quality services regardless of the level of infrastructure available.
The association also raised concerns about the continued migration of Nigerian healthcare professionals, attributing the trend to factors including poor working conditions, insecurity, inadequate remuneration and limited career opportunities.
Omoti said the situation required urgent intervention, warning that the country could not afford to continue losing experienced medical professionals.
“This trend must be urgently reversed,” he said.
The NMA also called for the conclusion and implementation of the outstanding collective bargaining agreement between the Federal Government and health workers.
The association urged the government to conclude the process in time for the financial implications to be reflected in the 2027 budget.
It said delays in resolving outstanding welfare issues had contributed to dissatisfaction among health workers and could further encourage professionals to seek opportunities outside Nigeria.
On security, the NMA demanded stronger protection for healthcare workers and medical facilities, particularly in areas facing heightened security challenges.
Omoti disclosed that a medical practitioner from Niger State had reportedly spent about four months in captivity, 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 called for improvements to roads leading to hospitals and other healthcare facilities, especially in rural and underserved areas.
According to the NMA, poor road infrastructure can delay emergency treatment, hinder referrals and make it more difficult for healthcare workers to reach patients in need.
The doctors’ body further urged the government to treat drug and substance abuse among Nigerian youths as a national public health priority.
It called for expanded mental health and addiction treatment services to address the growing challenges associated with substance abuse.
Among its broader recommendations, the NMA demanded improved working conditions, better security, appropriate tax relief for healthcare professionals, stronger measures to retain skilled workers and implementation of the 65-year retirement age.
Omoti said the association remained willing to work with governments and other stakeholders to develop lasting solutions to the challenges facing 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’s demand comes amid continuing concerns over Nigeria’s healthcare workforce capacity as doctors and other professionals leave the country in search of better working conditions, remuneration and career opportunities.
The association believes allowing experienced clinical workers to remain in service until age 65 would help preserve critical expertise and institutional knowledge while broader measures to address workforce shortages and migration are implemented.
