NMA Demands Retirement Age Extension to 65 as Nigeria Faces Worsening Doctor Shortage
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA – The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has renewed its call for the Federal Government to increase the retirement age for clinical health workers from 60 to 65 years, warning that Nigeria cannot afford to lose experienced doctors amid a growing shortage of healthcare professionals.
The appeal was made on Friday by NMA President, Dr. Afekhide Omoti, while briefing journalists after the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja.
The meeting, which ran from August 24 to 28, brought together representatives of medical doctors from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to deliberate on key issues affecting Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Omoti said extending the retirement age would help retain experienced clinicians whose expertise remains critical as the country continues to grapple with the migration of health professionals to other countries.
According to him, keeping senior doctors in active service would ease pressure on an already overstretched health workforce and preserve institutional knowledge while government pursues broader reforms.
“Retaining experienced clinicians within the system is essential,” he said, stressing that Nigeria cannot continue losing skilled professionals when hospitals are already struggling with manpower shortages.
The association, however, noted that extending the retirement age alone would not solve the crisis, describing it as one component of a broader strategy to strengthen the health sector.
The NMA urged the Federal Government to improve remuneration, provide better working conditions, enhance career development opportunities and invest in modern healthcare infrastructure to reduce the migration of doctors and other health professionals.
It also called on the government to conclude negotiations on the outstanding collective bargaining agreement with health workers and ensure its financial implications are reflected in the 2027 national budget.
Beyond welfare concerns, the association raised alarm over the growing insecurity affecting healthcare workers and medical facilities across the country.
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