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President Bola Tinubu has approved an increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Mannir Bature, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos. He said the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has been directed to formally present the approval to the Council on Establishment through the Office of the Head of Service for finalization.

The policy shift was conveyed during a high-level meeting between the NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, and key stakeholders, including the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU). Discussions focused on the welfare of healthcare professionals and ongoing reforms in the sector.

Bature stated that the minister confirmed the approval of arrears from the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), with secured funds set for disbursement soon. Additionally, Tinubu approved corrections to consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) following the implementation of the new minimum wage.

The government has also approved new tariffs for healthcare service providers, particularly benefiting members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN), to enhance financial sustainability in the sector.

Prof. Pate expressed appreciation for the patience and collaboration of stakeholders and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving healthcare workers’ welfare. He emphasized that strengthening Nigeria’s health sector requires collective efforts.

The NMA has long advocated for extending the retirement age to address brain drain, facilitate knowledge transfer, and enhance healthcare delivery.

A trader identified as Ifeanyi was killed on Wednesday following a fight with another trader, Eze, over a selling space at Utako Market, Abuja.

The dispute, which began as an argument between the two underwear sellers, escalated into a physical altercation in the early hours of the morning. Witnesses said Ifeanyi slumped and died during the fight, causing panic in the market.

Eze has been arrested and is currently in custody at the Utako Police Division. A police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the incident is being treated as a murder case and will be transferred to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command for further investigation.

The body of the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary.

President Bola Tinubu has departed Abuja for Paris, France, on a private visit, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced on Wednesday.

According to Onanuga, Tinubu’s trip to France is en route to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he will join African leaders for the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State, scheduled from February 12 to 16, 2025.

During his stay in France, Tinubu is also expected to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The presidential spokesperson confirmed that Tinubu would arrive in Addis Ababa early next week for the AU summit.

A fire outbreak at an Islamic school in Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State has claimed the lives of at least 17 Almajiri students, with 16 others sustaining injuries.

The fire, which broke out late Tuesday night, raged for about three hours, leaving devastating destruction in its wake. Eyewitnesses said the blaze originated from stored sticks, locally known as kara, within the school premises.

A resident, Abdulrasaq Bello Kaura, told Channels Television that the incident occurred at Makaranta Mallam Ghali inside the school’s study hall. He recounted that there were about 100 students in the building at the time, and while many were evacuated, it was only after the fire subsided that the remains of the victims were discovered.

“They thought all the students had been safely removed, but after the fire, they began seeing legs and hands. The victims were burnt beyond recognition,” he said.

The 17 deceased students were buried on Wednesday.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Kaura-Namoda Local Government, Comrade Mannir Muazu Haidara, said he was on his way to the scene and would provide further details later.