Federal Government Approves Retirement Age Extension For Skilled Clinical Health Workers

In a policy shift aimed at addressing the shortage of clinical health workers in federal healthcare institutions, the federal government has increased the retirement age for skilled clinical health professionals in Federal Tertiary Hospitals and Centres from 60 to 65 years of age or from 35 to 40 years of service, whichever comes first.

This directive, communicated under Circular Ref. No. HCSF/3065/Vol.1/227 dated December 31 2025, by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, marked a strategic effort to retain experienced health workers in teaching hospitals, Federal Medical Centres, National Orthopaedic and Neuropsychiatric Hospitals, National Eye Centre, National Obstetrics Fistula Centres, National Ear Care Centre, and the National Hospital Abuja.

The head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who signed the circular, emphasised that this review targets 26 specific cadres of skilled clinical health professionals including Medical Officers, Nurses, Pharmacists, Radiographers, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, and several others engaged in clinical services within federal health institutions.

The circular specifically excluded skilled clinical staff working in Ministries and Extra-Ministerial Departments within the mainstream Civil Service from this policy extension.

According to the circular, eligible officers willing to continue service beyond the former retirement age are required to submit a formal application at least three months before reaching 60 years or completing 35 years of service.

The circular further stated that applications must be accompanied by a Medical Certificate of Fitness from a government-approved medical facility and a current practising licence from the relevant statutory regulatory body, and that those due to retire within three months of the policy’s effective date must comply within seven days.

The policy takes effect from January 1, 2026, with comprehensive guidelines attached to the circular to facilitate proper implementation across the affected federal health institutions.