The Federal Government of Nigeria has endorsed a new strategic policy that extends the retirement age of qualified clinical healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years, or from 35 to 40 years of service, effective January 1, as part of its efforts to mitigate the shortage of healthcare personnel in federal health institutions.
This policy, conveyed through Circular Ref. No. HCSF/3065/Vol.1/227 dated December 31, 2025, and issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, represented a deliberate strategy aimed at retaining seasoned healthcare professionals across teaching hospitals, Federal Medical Centers, National Orthopedic and Neuropsychiatric Hospitals, the National Eye Centre, National Obstetrics Fistula Centers, the National Ear Care Centre, and the National Hospital, Abuja.
According to the circular signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, the policy affects 26 categories of professional clinical health professionals, which include Medical Officers, Nurses, Pharmacists, Radiographers, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, and others in clinical practice within federal healthcare institutions.
The circular clearly stated that skilled clinical staff employed in Ministries and Extra-Ministerial Departments under the core Civil Service structure are not covered by the extension. It also stated that eligible officers from the previous retirement age who submit a formal application at least three months before turning 60 or completing 35 years of service, if they wish to continue in service, are covered.
It further indicated that a Medical Certificate of Fitness should support applications from a government-approved medical institution and a current practicing license issued by the relevant statutory regulatory authority, adding that officers due for retirement within three months of the policy’s effective date must meet these requirements within seven days.
The policy is accompanied by detailed guidelines included in the circular to support its implementation across affected federal health facilities.
