The Cross River State Government has approved the extension of the retirement age for frontline health workers from 60 to 65 years, or after 40 years of pensionable service, in a move aimed at retaining experienced professionals and addressing the shortage of skilled healthcare workers in the state.
The approval, granted by Governor Bassey Otu, was announced in Head of Service Circular No. 11/2026, signed by the Head of Service, Orok Okon, and made available to journalists in Calabar on Tuesday.
According to the circular, the new policy will take effect from 1 August and is expected to strengthen healthcare delivery by retaining experienced frontline health workers in active service for longer.
Okon explained that the policy applies exclusively to frontline health workers serving in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities across the state.
He stated that health workers occupying administrative positions are excluded from the new retirement arrangement, while all other categories of public servants will continue to retire at 60 years of age or after 35 years of pensionable service, whichever comes first.
According to Okon, eligible state health workers will be recommended by the Commissioner for Health after their eligibility and fitness for continued service have been verified.
He added that eligible local government health workers would be recommended by the Director-General of the Cross River Primary Health Care Development Agency.
Okon also directed the Accountant-General to ensure that only officers duly approved under the new retirement arrangement remain on the government payroll.
Reacting to the approval, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, described the decision as a historic milestone for the state’s health sector.
Ayuk thanked Governor Otu for what he described as the governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare and healthcare reforms. He expressed confidence that extending the retirement age would improve healthcare service delivery and consolidate the gains already recorded in the state’s health sector.
