FG APPROVES EXTENSION OF RETIREMENT AGE FOR HEALTH WORKERS ..... Insists On Due Process For Actualization

The Coordinating Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate addressing the Leaders of Nigeria Medical Association, Medical & Dental Consultants Association, Johesu and Association of Nigerian Nurses & Midwives. Supporting the Coordinating Minister are Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako Honourable Minister of State and Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom mni.

"President Bola Ahmed  Tinubu GCFR, gave consent to exempt clinically skilled health workers from the extant retirement age of 60 to 65; with an explicit mandate to follow due process for its actualization." Prof Ali Pate.

The retirement age for Clinically Skilled health workers in Nigeria's Health sector has been extended from sixty to sixty-five years of age. This is critical towards enhancing delivery of quality healthcare services to Nigerians and, improving the capacity to continue to train others.

The announcement of the extension by the federal government was revealed by the Coordinating Minister for Health abd Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate during a meeting with key stakeholders in the medical and allied fields, via a statement issued and signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director Information and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Tuesday 6 February 2025 in Abuja.

According to the Minister, those to benefit include the President Nigeria Medical Association, Prof. Bala Audu; President Medical & Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria Prof. Muhammad Muhammad; National Secretary Joint Health Sector Unions Comrade Martin Egbanubi and, President National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives Comrade Haruna Mamman.

Expatiating further, Prof Pate stated that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed  Tinubu GCFR, gave consent to exempt clinically skilled health workers from the extant retirement age of 60 to 65; with an explicit mandate to follow due process for its actualization.

With this directive by Mr. President, the Coordinating Minister informed the representatives of medical and allied health practitioners that the Ministry will kick start the process of collaborating effectively with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, National Council on Establishment and other relevant stakeholders for its actualization.

While extending appreciation to all the Nigerian health workers for the relative peace and harmony in the health sector in the past eighteen months, Prof. Pate also assured that the issue of payment of 7 months arrears of CONMESS and CONHESS is work in progress. 

"On the arrears, it will be sourced and released, we are on a track for resolution", the Coordinating Minister added.

Responding, Prof. Bala Audu (NMA President) commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for restoring leadership in the Ministry, stressing, that the Coordinating Minister has created an enabling environment for openness and dialogue with the unions.

Prof. Audu expressed the willingness of the unions to cooperate and work with the Ministry towards ensuring a logical conclusion of  issues surrounding the upward review of retirement age and payment of outstanding 7 months  arrears.