Posted by Chinenye on Fri 28th Aug, 2026 - tori.ng
Nigeria’s doctors are pushing for a major change they say could help slow the country’s growing loss of medical professionals.
(Nigeria Medical Association. Photo: NMA)
Nigeria's medical association has asked the Federal Government to urgently put into effect a 65-year retirement age for clinical health workers.
The association says this is needed to keep experienced doctors and other health professionals in the system at a time when Nigeria is losing skilled workers to migration.
The NMA president made the call at a press briefing in Abuja after the association's national executive council meeting held from August 24 to 28.
He said the continued delay in implementing the retirement age was particularly worrying when Nigeria was facing a serious shortage of skilled healthcare workers because many were leaving the country.
The president urged the Federal Government to urgently put into effect the 65-year retirement age for clinical health workers without any unnecessary delays.
He said extending the retirement age would provide an important way to address the problem while the country works on the bigger challenges of healthcare workforce shortages and migration.
The association said building healthcare infrastructure alone would not be enough.
Hospitals and facilities cannot deliver quality services without adequate numbers of motivated, well-paid and properly protected doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory scientists.
The government needs to invest in healthcare professionals just as much as it invests in buildings and equipment.
The NMA also raised other concerns affecting Nigeria's health sector including insecurity facing healthcare workers, poor road infrastructure to facilities, drug and substance abuse among youths, and difficult working conditions that encourage health professionals to leave Nigeria.
A medical doctor from Niger State has reportedly been held captive for about four months.
The association said this is unacceptable and healthcare workers should not have to choose between saving patients and protecting their own lives.
The association called on governments to improve roads leading to healthcare facilities, especially in rural areas.
Poor roads delay emergency care, make referrals difficult and prevent healthcare workers from reaching patients.
The NMA also demanded conclusion and implementation of the outstanding collective bargaining agreement between government and health workers.
The association said prolonged delays in addressing health workers' demands have created dissatisfaction and encouraged more to leave the country.
The association urged for measures to retain healthcare professionals including appropriate tax relief for them, improved security, implementation of the 65-year retirement age and stronger investment in the health workforce.