The Kebbi State Executive Council has approved the extension of the retirement age for medical and veterinary doctors in the state civil service from 60 to 65 years, in a move aimed at addressing manpower shortages and improving healthcare delivery.
The decision was announced on Monday in Birnin Kebbi by the Commissioner for Establishment, Pension and Training, Alhaji Auwal Manu Dogondaji, shortly after the State Executive Council meeting.
Dogondaji said the policy also extends the years of service for affected professionals from 35 to 40 years, whichever comes first.
According to him, the approval followed efforts by Governor Nasir Idris to strengthen the health sector and improve civil service efficiency.
“Medical and veterinary doctors in the State Civil Service were previously required to retire at the age of 60 in line with the general public service retirement policy,” the commissioner said.
He noted that the health sector continues to face shortages of skilled personnel, migration of professionals, and rising healthcare demands.
“You will find that many doctors attain their peak clinical experience and specialization between the ages of 55 and 65. Forcing retirement at 60 results in the loss of highly skilled consultants, surgeons and specialists who are still fit and actively contributing to service delivery, training and mentorship,” Dogondaji stated.
The commissioner said the policy is designed to retain experienced professionals whose expertise remains critical to the state’s healthcare system.
He added that the measure aligns Kebbi with evolving national and global practices, noting that the Federal Government and several other states have adopted similar policies.
“The Federal Government and some states, including Kogi, Niger and Cross River, as well as several countries around the world, have extended the retirement age for medical professionals to between 66 and 70 years,” he said.
Dogondaji also said the extension would help curb the migration of experienced doctors to states with more attractive conditions of service.
He disclosed that veterinary doctors employed by the state government would also benefit from the new policy.
However, he stressed that officers retained beyond 60 years or 35 years of service must undergo annual medical fitness certification and maintain satisfactory performance ratings.
“Retention beyond 60 years or 35 years of service will be subject to annual medical fitness certification and satisfactory performance appraisal,” he said.
The policy is scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026.
Nigeria’s health sector continues to grapple with brain drain, as medical professionals migrate abroad in search of better working conditions and remuneration, placing pressure on healthcare systems across the country.
Observers say the Kebbi policy is expected to preserve institutional knowledge, strengthen mentorship for younger doctors, and reduce workforce gaps in critical healthcare and veterinary services.
The approval forms part of the state government’s broader efforts to improve public service efficiency and expand access to quality healthcare for residents.
