The Kebbi State Government has approved a policy extension to the retirement age and years of service for medical and veterinary doctors in an effort to combat an acute shortage of healthcare professionals.
Under the new guidelines, the retirement age for medical personnel in state employment has been raised to 65, while the maximum length of service has been extended from 35 to 40 years, depending on which milestone is reached first.
Previously, in line with federal public service rules, retirement was fixed at 60 years of age or 35 years of service.
The Commissioner for Establishment, Pension, and Training, Auwal Dogondaji, announced the decision following a State Executive Council meeting at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
Mr Dogondaji stated that the council observed the previous policy resulted in the premature retirement of highly skilled specialists, surgeons, and consultants. He noted that these professionals are often at the peak of their clinical experience between the ages of 55 and 65.
By extending their careers, the state aims to retain active professionals to boost healthcare delivery and support the training and mentorship of younger colleagues.
The state government described the move as a proactive measure to address persistent systemic challenges, including the ongoing “brain drain” of medical professionals and workforce gaps left by retirements. Veterinary doctors are fully covered under the revised policy.
However, the council stipulated that retention beyond the traditional limit of 60 years of age or 35 years of service will be strictly conditional. Continued service will require annual medical fitness certification and satisfactory performance appraisals.
The new retirement policy is retrospective, taking effect from 1 January 2026.
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