The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill for a second reading that proposes raising the retirement age for health workers in Nigeria from 60 to 65 years and extending their years of service from 35 to 40.
Hon. Wale Hammed (APC-Lagos), who sponsored the bill, argued that the change would allow experienced medical professionals to continue contributing to the health sector while mentoring younger colleagues. He emphasized that this adjustment could help counter the “Japa” syndrome, where younger professionals leave Nigeria in search of better opportunities abroad.
“We may not be able to stop migration due to individual rights,” Hammed noted, “but extending the retirement age would enable those who wish to stay and work in Nigeria to do so longer.” He explained that the country’s healthcare system faces critical challenges, including a shortage of skilled professionals, which the bill aims to mitigate by retaining seasoned practitioners.
“Nigeria’s healthcare sector is witnessing a depletion of both the number and quality of professionals,” he said, citing two main causes: the pursuit of better opportunities abroad and the existing retirement age limit of 60 years with a 35-year service cap. “While migration is difficult to control, revising retirement policies is within our power, and this bill seeks to address that.”
Hammed also pointed to federal precedents, such as retirement age increases for judges, lecturers, and teachers, to support the proposal.
Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) supported the bill, pointing out that several states have already raised the retirement age for health workers. He noted that hospitals struggle to meet experience requirements during recruitment, as consultants and other skilled health professionals are in short supply.
Hon. Bello Ambarura echoed this sentiment, highlighting that many consultant roles in Federal Medical Centres remain unfilled, with retiring experts frequently recruited by foreign agencies due to their expertise. He stressed that extending the retirement age would be beneficial for the country’s health sector.
The bill was subsequently referred to the relevant House Committees for further legislative consideration.
