By our Reporter
The Federal Government has disbursed N43.3 billion to doctors across the country as part of its ongoing efforts to settle arrears, strengthen the health workforce, and maintain industrial harmony in the health sector.
In a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director and Head of Information & Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the government reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising the welfare of doctors as the foundation of its reform agenda.
“The welfare, motivation, and stability of our health workforce remain the bedrock upon which all health policies, strategies, and actions are built,” the statement quoted the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, as saying during a high-level meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in Abuja.
According to Balogun, the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, commenced the payment of seven months’ arrears of the 25% and 35% upward review of CONMESS and CONHESS in August 2025, amounting to N10 billion.
“Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the expedited payment of these arrears, another N21.3 billion has been moved to the IPPIS account, and payment has commenced,” Balogun stated.
He added that a further N11.995 billion is being processed for release within 72 hours to cover other arrears, including accoutrement allowances.
“All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in accordance with the salary structure in the health sector,” the statement noted.
The Federal Government also released N10.6 billion in September 2025 for the full payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), benefiting resident doctors nationwide.
To cushion the effects of brain drain and long working hours, the Federal Government has granted special waivers for massive recruitment across federal tertiary hospitals.
“In 2024, over 20,000 doctors, nurses, and allied professionals were employed across 58 Federal Health Institutions,” Balogun disclosed. “The recruitment for 2025 is ongoing, with over 15,000 already approved for employment.”
The ministry also said negotiations are ongoing with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANM) to address all pending welfare issues.
“To deepen dialogue, we engaged a professional negotiator, Prof. Dafe Otobo, a renowned industrial relations expert, to facilitate constructive engagement between the government and union leaders,” Balogun said.
The negotiator has met with all unions individually and jointly with ministry officials, with further meetings held on October 24, 2025, to reach consensus on outstanding issues, including specialist allowances, salary relativity, and the consultant cadre in hospitals.
Balogun also clarified several specific matters raised by doctors and other stakeholders. On the dismissal of five doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, he explained that three of the affected doctors who did not face a properly constituted disciplinary committee have been offered reabsorption into government service, while the remaining two cases are under review by Prof. Otobo.
On certificate categorisation, he stated that the reclassification of certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) was “a routine regulatory adjustment,” not a downgrade. He added that payment delays and promotions are being addressed through engagements with the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), while the special pension benefits issue is under the purview of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which has set up a joint committee to find lasting solutions.
Reaffirming the government’s resolve, Dr. Salako stated, “Our health workforce is the bedrock of Nigeria’s healthcare reform.
Every policy, investment, and strategy we implement under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) is anchored on their well-being, motivation, and professional fulfillment.”
Balogun reiterated that the ministry “remains steadfast in safeguarding the rights and welfare of doctors, ensuring industrial harmony, and upholding uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services to Nigerians.”
