The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has accused the Federal Government (FG) of bias in the implementation of a revised retirement age policy in the health sector, warning that the selective approach favours one cadre and marginalizes non-physician health workers.
In an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the union expressed deep concern over what it described as a discriminatory extension of retirement age, arguing that the policy undermines equity, teamwork, and effective healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
In a letter jointly signed by the National Chairman of Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, and the Secretary, Comrade Martin Egbanubi, the Union stressed that healthcare delivery is a multidisciplinary endeavour and cannot function effectively if one group is elevated above others.
JOHESU called on the President to direct the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to issue an all-inclusive and non-discriminatory circular on retirement age that covers all health workers, including non-hospital-based staff.
The Union also demanded a progressive amendment of the 31 December 2025, circular to bring it in line with the FG-JOHESU Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of 4 June 2023.
According to the union, it has championed the campaign for an increase in the retirement age of health workers for over 15 years, with the demand featuring prominently in all eight MoUs signed with the Federal Government between 2014 and 2024.
The Union alleged that while the agitation was initially resisted by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and some professional bodies, those same groups are now benefiting disproportionately from the policy.
JOHESU recalled that during negotiations following its June 2023 industrial action, it drew attention to existing provisions that allow university staff to retire at 65 years, while professors retire at 70.
On this basis, the union demanded an increase in the retirement age of all health workers from 60 to 65 years, with a 70-year retirement age for all health consultants.
The union noted that the National Council on Establishments rejected the proposal on four occasions, including in December 2025, but claimed that its intervention eventually led the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to direct the FMOH to present the matter to President Tinubu for consideration by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which approved it.
However, JOHESU alleged that following the approval, the spirit and letter of the agreement were altered. It accused the FMOH of constituting what it described as a manipulative committee designed to promote selective implementation of the policy.
According to the union, the committee comprised a handpicked JOHESU nominee, a representative of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), as well as core FMOH officials, some of whom were physicians.
JOHESU claimed the committee’s outcome promoted the interests of physicians and a few cadres to the exclusion of the majority of health workers.
The union further accused the committee of introducing an “illegitimate and discriminatory” classification of “clinically skilled health workers,” which restricted the 70-year retirement age to consultant physicians.
JOHESU said this contradicted the FG-JOHESU MoU of June 4, 2023, which provided for a retirement age of 65 years for all health workers and 70 years for all health consultants.
It added that it formally rejected the revised position in September 2025 and warned against what it described as an agenda to suppress and marginalise non-physician health workers.
The union warned that the selective retirement age policy could erode workforce morale, encourage early retirement, and prematurely force experienced professionals out of the system, thereby weakening institutional memory and compromising service delivery.
It described the policy as discriminatory and unconstitutional, alleging that it violates the principles of fairness, justice, and equal opportunity enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
JOHESU appealed to President Tinubu to intervene by ensuring the issuance of an inclusive retirement age circular that reflects equity across all cadres in the health sector.
The Union reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice, and transparency, expressing confidence that presidential intervention would restore cohesion and equity in Nigeria’s health system.
