Doctors will launch a nationwide strike this Thursday.
Doctors will launch a nationwide strike this Thursday.
With the 21-day ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government set to expire on July 23, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has threatened to shut down medical services nationwide if its demands are not met.
In an exclusive interview on Sunday, NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, confirmed the association’s readiness to take decisive action, warning that the government’s failure to respond adequately could trigger a nationwide strike.
Prof. Audu emphasized that the demands were essential for the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system and the wellbeing of medical practitioners across the country.
The ultimatum, issued on July 2, was in response to a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission regarding revised allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service—terms the doctors argue breach earlier agreements.
The association issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to withdraw the circular and meet its other demands to avert industrial action in the health sector.
“We have made our position clear. The ultimatum ends on July 23, and if the Federal Government does not address our demands, we may have no choice but to proceed with a strike,” he said.
According to him, the circular contains provisions that were not mutually agreed upon and which undermine the remuneration and welfare of medical professionals.
“We have rejected that circular outright. We expect that any new directive affecting our members should be the outcome of mutual consultation, not something imposed,” he stated.
Prof Audu disclosed that the NMA had been engaging with the Federal Government to avert a crisis.
“
last meeting happened two weeks ago and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate; the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako; the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Hospital Services, and the representative of minister of labour were at the meeting, and some affiliate of the NMA were present, and I was part of that meeting as well.
The minister appreciated us, then he spoke about the issues as contained in the list of demands from the NMA.
“However, he felt that we should go for a further meeting, and another meeting was slated for last week, unfortunately, in the week, we lost the former President Muhammadu Buhari, so the meeting couldn’t be held.
“However, the next meeting is supposed to happen between us, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which issued a circular that we feel is obnoxious, and we have rejected it. We would also meet with the Ministry of Finance and representatives from the Ministry of Health,” he added.
The NMA president expressed concern that time was running out, adding that unless the meeting was held within the next few days, the association may be left with no other alternative but industrial action.
“We expect that after the funeral ceremonies, government stakeholders will reconvene with us, hopefully by Monday. If not, the 21-day ultimatum remains in effect,” said Prof. Bala Audu, adding that a strike could become unavoidable if the government continues to neglect the issue.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), in a communiqué released after its State Executive Council meeting on Saturday, expressed deep disappointment and strongly condemned the controversial circular.
Held in Katsina, the meeting resulted in a firm rejection of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) circular (SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646), dated June 27, 2025, regarding the revised allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service. The branch called for an immediate withdrawal of the circular and a prompt response to all pending demands.
The communiqué, made public on Sunday, was jointly signed by the NMA Katsina Chairman, Dr. Muhammadu Sani, and Secretary, Dr. Yahya Salisu. It warned that the association could not assure continued delivery of healthcare services if the government failed to act swiftly.
