Nigerian Doctors Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Unresolved Demands
Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a resolute warning to the Federal Government of Nigeria, stating its intention to commence a nationwide strike by Thursday, July 24, 2025, if its demands are not met. This looming industrial action follows a 21-day ultimatum delivered on July 2, 2025, which is set to expire on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
The crux of the dispute lies in a controversial circular (Reference: SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646) issued on June 27, 2025, by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). The NMA has vehemently rejected this circular, asserting that it:
Violates Prior Agreements: The NMA contends that the circular undermines established salary relativities within the healthcare sector and directly contradicts provisions outlined in Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) from 2001, 2009, 2014, and 2021. They argue that these provisions were not mutually agreed upon but were unilaterally imposed by the NSIWC.
Undermines Remuneration and Welfare: Doctors view the circular's proposed 1.2% salary increase as "meager" and inadequate, failing to reflect current economic realities, the significant sacrifices made by medical professionals, or the biting economic crisis that has drastically reduced their purchasing power.
Exacerbates Brain Drain: The NMA emphasizes that insufficient remuneration and poor working conditions, further worsened by such governmental directives, are primary drivers of the "japa" syndrome – the mass emigration of Nigerian medical professionals to other countries. This exodus, they state, is severely eroding the morale of doctors who remain in Nigeria.
Key Demands of the NMA Include:
Immediate Withdrawal of the NSIWC Circular (June 27, 2025): This remains the NMA's foremost demand, with the association insisting on mutual consultation and agreement for any new directives impacting its members' remuneration and welfare.
Payment of All Outstanding Arrears: The NMA demands the immediate settlement of arrears related to the approved increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), an adjustment that was slated for implementation from January 2024.
Abolition of Locum and Casual Employment for Doctors: Both the NMA and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have condemned the growing practice of casualizing doctors in public hospitals, deeming it exploitative and unsustainable. They advocate for all doctors to receive permanent and pensionable appointments after a clearly defined probationary period.
Upward Review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS): The NMA-FCT chapter has specifically called for a substantial 300% upward review of CONMESS.
Immediate Approval of Specialist Allowances for All Doctors: This is a long-standing demand.
Immediate Release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
Full Implementation of the 2021 Hazard Allowance Agreement: The NMA had previously pushed for a hazard allowance of at least N100,000 per month, significantly higher than the current N5,000.
Implementation of the Reviewed Retirement Age: The NMA seeks the implementation of a circular that extends the retirement age for medical and dental practitioners, allowing critical healthcare workers involved in direct patient care to work until 70 years of age.
Increased Carrying Capacity for Health Institutions: To counter the dwindling number of healthcare professionals due to emigration, the NMA calls for measures to significantly increase the capacity for training and producing more medical professionals within Nigeria.
Professor Bala Audu, President of the NMA, has unequivocally stated that the association is fully prepared to take decisive action if the government fails to address their demands by the July 23rd deadline. He emphasized that these demands are "critical for the healthcare system and medical professionals' welfare," warning that time is rapidly running out to avert a complete shutdown of medical services nationwide.
Various state branches of the NMA, including those in Katsina and Delta, have publicly expressed their full support for the national body's stance, issuing similar threats of industrial action should the demands remain unmet. This collective stance underscores a strong, unified position among doctors across Nigeria.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
