NMA issues 21-day ultimatum to FG to prevent doctors’ strike
NMA issues 21-day ultimatum to FG to prevent doctors’ strike
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has given the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to address its demands and prevent a potential strike in the health sector.
At a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, the association voiced its disappointment and strongly criticised a recent circular on the adjustment of allowances under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure for medical and dental practitioners.
According to a copy of the speech by NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, made available to our correspondent, the association rejected the circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), referenced SWC/5/04/5.218/III/646 and dated June 27, 2025, regarding the revised allowances for medical and dental officers in the Federal Public Service.
Prof. Audu stated that the circular violated prior Collective Bargaining Agreements between the NMA and the government, noting that the move has further escalated tensions among doctors who have continued to serve in Nigeria despite enduring difficult conditions.
The Nigerian Medical Association expresses grave disappointment and unequivocally condemns the circular purportedly issued to address the consequential adjustment of allowances under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure for medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria.
“The circular is grossly inadequate, misleading and constitutes a flagrant violation of the spirit and letter of the agreements painstakingly reached during the collective bargaining process between the NMA and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“We want to bring this to the attention of Mr President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), the National Assembly and the general public whom we are under oath to always protect and promote their well-being.
We reject this new circular in its entirety and demand a new circular that reflects previous agreements reached,” Audu said.
He stressed that the principles of fairness and justice must guide the adjustment of allowances as previously agreed.
He further noted that while the association had submitted the correct salary structure table as requested by the relevant government bodies, it was disappointed to find it was disregarded.
“Our demands include but are not limited to the immediate withdrawal of the circular on review of allowances for medical/dental officers in the federal public service dated 27th June 2025; immediate correction of consequential adjustments in line with the agreements of 2001, 2009, and 2014 CBAs; immediate correction of the relativity agreed between CONMESS and Consolidated Health Salary Structure and compliance with relativity in all professional allowances in accordance with the 2001 CBA, particularly regarding call duty allowances, and the payment of all accrued backlogs.
“The immediate settlement of all outstanding arrears of 25/35 per cent CONMESS, clinical duty and accoutrement allowances owed to medical and dental practitioners; the immediate payment of Medical Residency Training Fund for 2025, and review of the MRTF to reflect prevailing economic realities; the immediate convocation of the long-overdue Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations on CONMESS; the immediate release of the circular on clinical duty and other allowances for honorary consultants as agreed in January 2024.”
The association also demanded the implementation of scarce skills allowances for medical consultants; approval of specialist allowances for all doctors; approval of excess workload allowances for all doctors; and adoption of relativity in all professional allowances in accordance with the 2001 CBA, particularly regarding call duty allowances; compliance with CBA of 2021 on hazard allowances; implementation of subsisting CONMESS circular of 2024 for house officers; and universal application of the CONMESS across all federal and state Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to combat internal brain drain.
The doctors also demanded the immediate reversal of the appointment of other healthcare professionals as consultants in hospitals, citing patient safety and the need to maintain medical care standards.
The NMA President emphasised that the association has consistently engaged in constructive dialogue with relevant government agencies and the Federal Ministry of Health in good faith and remains open to continued discussions, provided their legitimate entitlements are properly addressed.
“As a responsible and responsive organisation that upholds values, we have made deliberate and repeated efforts to engage in dialogue with the appropriate government bodies and the Federal Ministry of Health,” he stated.
“We have demonstrated significant goodwill and intend to maintain that stance, as long as our rightful and timely dues are met.
“We therefore expect that our demands will be addressed within the next 21 days to avoid any disruption in the delivery of healthcare services to the Nigerian public,” he concluded.
