NMA urges FG to implement 65 retirement age for health workers

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urged the Federal Government to urgently implement the retirement age of 65 years for clinical health workers across the country.

The NMA said this will serve as palliative measures for healthcare workforce shortages and migration.

The NMA President, Prof. Afekhide-Ernest Omoti, made the call at a press conference to wrap-up the association’s 2026 National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting held in Abuja Abuja on Friday, August 28, 2026.

Omoti said the NEC reiterated its concern over the delay in implementing the retirement age of 65 years for clinical health workers.

He stated that at a time when Nigeria was experiencing a significant shortage of skilled healthcare professionals due to migration and other factors, retaining experienced clinicians within the system was essential.

According to the NMA president, implementing the retirement age of 65 years for clinical health workers will provide an important palliative measure, as Nigeria continues to address the broader challenge of healthcare workforce shortages and migration.

Omoti said the NEC also expressed concern over the poor state of road infrastructure across the country, stressing that the bad roads had serious implications for healthcare delivery.

Omoti said: “They delay patients seeking emergency care, impede referrals, affect the transportation of medicines and medical supplies and make it difficult for healthcare workers to reach underserved communities.

“The NMA, therefore, calls on government at all levels to urgently priorities the rehabilitation, construction and maintenance of roads leading to healthcare facilities, particularly in the rural and underserved communities.”

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He urged the government to recognise road infrastructure as an essential component of healthcare delivery and a critical determinant of health outcomes.

The NMA president also spoke about the increasing prevalence of drug and substance abuse among Nigerian youths and its consequences for mental health, families, communities, and the nation’s productive workforce.

He said NMA considered it a growing public health emergency requiring a coordinated national response, while calling on the federal government to declare drug and substance abuse among Nigerian youths, a national public health priority.

Omoti added that the government should strengthen prevention programmes, improve public enlightenment, regulate access to harmful substances, and expand mental health and addiction treatment services at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of healthcare.

The NMA boss also called for greater collaboration among the Ministries, Departments and Agencies responsible for health, education, youth development, security and social welfare in tackling this challenge.