Tinubu Approves Retirement Age Increase for Healthcare Workers from 60 to 65, Announces Salary Adjustments and Welfare Improvements

 In a significant move to bolster Nigeria's healthcare sector, the House of Representatives has advanced a bill proposing to raise the retirement age for health workers from 60 to 65 years and extend the years of pensionable service from 35 to 40 years. This legislative effort, led by Rep. Wale Hammed of Lagos State, aims to address the critical shortage of experienced healthcare professionals in the country. 

Background and Rationale

Nigeria's healthcare system has been grappling with a dual challenge: a significant number of health workers migrating abroad in search of better opportunities and the mandatory retirement age forcing seasoned professionals out of service prematurely. Rep. Hammed highlighted these issues, stating, "Nigeria’s healthcare sector is currently experiencing a significant depletion in both the number and quality of professionals due to two main factors." He emphasized that while the migration trend is challenging to curb due to individual rights, adjusting the retirement age is within legislative control and can help retain experienced personnel. 

Provisions of the Bill

The proposed legislation, titled "A Bill for an Act to make provisions for the retirement age for health workers in Nigeria and for related matters," includes key clauses:

Clause 2: "Health Workers in Nigeria shall compulsorily retire on attainment of 65 years of age or 40 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier."

Clause 3: "Any law or the Public Service Rules requiring a person to retire from the Public Service at 60 years of age or after 35 years of service shall not apply to Health Workers in Nigeria."

These provisions aim to retain experienced healthcare workers, allowing them to continue contributing their expertise to the sector, especially during times of significant challenges and shortages of skilled professionals. 

Legislative Progress and Debates

The bill successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on October 31, 2024. During the plenary session, Rep. Hammed urged his colleagues to support the bill, emphasizing its potential to transform the healthcare sector. He noted that increasing the retirement age would help retain experienced healthcare workers, which is crucial given the current challenges in the healthcare delivery system. 

However, the bill faced some opposition. Rep. Mark Esset from Akwa Ibom State expressed concerns about the potential impact on employment opportunities for younger health professionals. He pointed out that with limited job openings and a high number of applicants, extending the retirement age might further limit opportunities for new graduates. Similarly, Rep. Felix Nweke from Rivers State questioned the propriety of extending service years when many young Nigerians are unemployed, emphasizing the need to provide opportunities for the younger generation. 

Support from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed strong support for the bill. During a courtesy visit to Rep. Wale Hammed, NMA's First Vice President, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, emphasized that the bill, if passed into law, would help address the brain drain in the health sector. He noted that when experienced health workers retire, there are often not enough young, experienced workers to replace them. By increasing the retirement age, more experienced doctors would be available to mentor younger colleagues, thereby improving the overall capacity for training and healthcare delivery in the country. 

Following its successful second reading, the bill has been referred to the relevant committees for further legislative action. The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, commended the lawmakers for their contributions and emphasized the importance of handling the healthcare sector with diligence to enable it to avail citizens of its enormous benefits. 

Conclusion

The proposed increase in the retirement age and service years for health workers is a strategic move to retain experienced professionals within Nigeria's healthcare system. While it has garnered support from various stakeholders, including the Nigerian Medical Association, concerns about its potential impact on employment opportunities for younger health professionals remain. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it will be crucial to balance the retention of experienced workers with the need to provide opportunities for new entrants into the healthcare sector.