The Kebbi State Government has approved an extension of the retirement age for medical and veterinary doctors in its employ. Under the new policy, the retirement age is raised to 65 years, and the maximum length of service is extended from 35 to 40 years, whichever comes first. Previously, retirement was set at 60 years of age or 35 years of service, in line with federal guidelines.
Announcement by Commissioner
Kebbi State Commissioner for Establishment, Pension, and Training, Auwal Dogondaji, made the announcement to journalists after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Monday at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi. He explained that the SEC recognized that the previous retirement policy led to the premature loss of highly skilled specialists, surgeons, and consultants who often reach their peak clinical experience between 55 and 65 years of age.
Retaining Experienced Professionals
“By extending their years of service, Kebbi aims to retain these fit and active professionals so they can continue to contribute significantly to healthcare delivery, training, and mentorship,” Dogondaji said. He added that this strategic intervention is part of the state government’s proactive measures to address persistent challenges in the health sector, including acute doctor shortages, brain drain, and workforce gaps resulting from retirements.
Inclusion of Veterinary Doctors
The commissioner confirmed that veterinary doctors are fully included in the new policy. However, to maintain high service standards, the SEC stipulated that retention beyond 60 years of age or 35 years of service will be strictly subject to annual medical fitness certification and satisfactory performance appraisal.
Effective Date
The new retirement policy takes retrospective effect from January 1, 2026.
