Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has approved a new policy extending the retirement age for medical and veterinary doctors employed in the state civil service, a move aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and retaining experienced professionals.
Under the revised arrangement, doctors will now retire at the age of 65 instead of 60. In addition, the maximum years of service have been increased from 35 years to 40 years, with retirement occurring once either limit is reached.
The approval was granted during the Kebbi State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Establishment, Pension and Training, Auwal Dogondaji, explained that the decision was taken after the council reviewed the impact of the previous retirement framework on the state’s healthcare system.
According to Dogondaji, the government observed that many highly qualified medical professionals, including specialists, consultants, and surgeons, were being forced into retirement at a stage when their expertise and experience remained highly valuable.
He noted that doctors often attain the peak of their professional competence between the ages of 55 and 65, making their early exit from public service a significant loss to the healthcare sector.
“By extending their years of service, the State aims to retain these fit and active professionals so they can continue to make significant contributions to healthcare delivery, training, and mentorship,” he said.
The commissioner stated that the policy forms part of broader efforts by the Kebbi State Government to address long-standing challenges within the health sector.
He explained that healthcare institutions across the state have continued to face shortages of qualified personnel due to retirements, workforce gaps, and the increasing migration of healthcare workers in search of better opportunities elsewhere.
By allowing experienced doctors to remain in service longer, the government hopes to improve access to quality healthcare, strengthen medical training, and provide mentorship opportunities for younger professionals entering the system.
Dogondaji further clarified that the new retirement policy applies not only to medical doctors but also to veterinary doctors working within the state civil service.
He, however, emphasized that continued service beyond the previous retirement benchmark would not be automatic.
According to him, doctors who remain in service after attaining 60 years of age or completing 35 years in service must meet specific conditions set by the government.
“However, to ensure the highest standards of service delivery, the Council stipulated that retention beyond the age of 60 or 35 years of service shall be subject to annual medical fitness certification and satisfactory performance appraisal.
“The new retirement policy takes retrospective effect from January 1, 2026,” he added.
The government believes the policy will help preserve institutional knowledge within the health sector while ensuring that experienced professionals continue contributing to healthcare services across Kebbi State.
The move also aligns with ongoing efforts by several governments and institutions to address shortages of skilled medical personnel and improve the quality of healthcare delivery through the retention of experienced practitioners.
