The Federal Authorities has introduced plans to launch N11.99 billion inside 72 hours to settle excellent wage and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals, in a swift response to the indefinite nationwide strike by the Nationwide Affiliation of Resident Medical doctors (NARD).
The announcement was made on Saturday by the Head of Info and Public Relations on the Federal Ministry of Well being, Alaba Balogun.
Balogun emphasised that the federal government is taking “concrete actions” to deal with the grievances raised by putting docs, together with measures associated to recruitment, fee of arrears, and broader well being sector reforms.
“This fee is a part of a coordinated effort to stabilize the well being workforce and guarantee uninterrupted medical providers throughout the nation,” Balogun said.
Monetary commitments and presidential directive
In line with the ministry, the disbursement follows a directive from President Bola Tinubu, who instructed the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Well being to expedite funds to well being employees.
On Thursday, N21.3 billion was transferred to the Built-in Payroll and Personnel Info System (IPPIS) account for the fee of salaries and allowances, together with these owed to NARD members.
As well as, Balogun revealed that N10 billion was launched in August to start settling seven months’ arrears ensuing from the 25% and 35% upward assessment of the Consolidated Medical Wage Construction (CONMESS) and Consolidated Well being Wage Construction (CONHESS) for all classes of well being employees.
“All these funds are being loved by members of NARD in accordance with the wage construction within the well being sector,” the ministry’s assertion learn.
Recruitment drive and residency coaching help
To fight the results of mind drain and extreme workloads, the Federal Authorities has granted particular waivers for the mass recruitment of healthcare professionals throughout federal tertiary establishments.
Balogun confirmed that over 20,000 well being employees have already been employed throughout 58 federal well being establishments, with greater than 15,000 further positions accredited for 2025.
“Moreover, the Federal Authorities has launched N10.6 billion as at September 2025 as full fee for the 2025 Medical Residency Coaching Fund (MRTF) paid completely to resident docs nationwide,” the assertion added.
“This recruitment drive is an element of a bigger technique to make sure that Nigeria’s well being amenities are adequately staffed, protected, and geared up to ship high quality care to residents.”
Ongoing negotiations and industrial relations professional engagement
In a bid to resolve lingering disputes, the ministry disclosed that it has engaged Professor Dafe Otobo, an professional in industrial relations, to facilitate constructive dialogue between well being unions and the federal government.
“The negotiator has since met with all of the unions individually. A joint assembly of the unions with the Federal Ministry of Well being and Social Welfare, with the negotiator, has additionally taken place as of Thursday, twenty fourth October 2025,” the ministry confirmed.
The federal government reiterated its dedication to collective bargaining and complete options, noting that discussions are progressing on key points raised by well being unions, together with specialist allowances, wage relativity, and the appointment of marketing consultant cadres in hospitals.
“These efforts are aimed toward guaranteeing a universally agreed decision to the agitations of well being employees, which has been lacking in current previous negotiations,” Balogun concluded.
What it’s best to know
Medical doctors in Nigeria have continued to lament over poor welfare, together with unpaid salaries and stalled promotions.
- In September, resident docs in Abuja launched an indefinite strike over unpaid salaries, stalled promotions, and worsening hospital circumstances within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
- The strike, which started on Monday, September 15, 2025, was declared by Dr George Ebong, President of the Affiliation of Resident Medical doctors, FCT Administration (ARD-FCTA), throughout a press briefing in Abuja
- In late August, resident docs in Kaduna State had introduced an indefinite strike beginning 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 1, 2025, citing the federal government’s failure to implement the 2024 Consolidated Medical Wage Construction (CONMESS) and different welfare agreements.
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