Posted on: Thu 03-07-2025

Abuja, Nigeria — In what could escalate into a full-blown crisis in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has vehemently rejected a recent circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), accusing the Federal Government of breaching long-standing agreements with medical professionals.

At a press conference held at the NMA House in Abuja on July 2, 2025, the Association denounced the NSIWC Circular No. SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646 dated June 27, 2025, which it says attempted to review allowances under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) without due consultation or adherence to established collective bargaining agreements.

“This circular is grossly inadequate, misleading, and constitutes a flagrant violation of the agreements we reached painstakingly with the government,” said Prof. Bala Audu, President of the NMA.

The Association lamented that the circular disregarded the correct salary adjustment table previously submitted by the NMA and emphasized that no prior consultation or dialogue occurred before the circular was released.

“We are dismayed that our input was discarded. This is not just a professional insult—it is an attack on fairness and justice,” added Dr. Ben Egbo, Secretary General of the NMA.

The NMA listed 18 key demands, including:

• * Immediate withdrawal of the controversial circular
• * Proper implementation of call duty and relativity allowances as per the 2001 CBA
• * Payment of all accrued arrears and residency training funds
• * Review of hazard allowances and implementation of the 2024 CONMESS for house officers
• * Reversal of appointments* of non-medical professionals as consultants to protect patient safety
• * Universal application of CONMESS across federal and state institutions to curb brain drain
• * Immediate constitution of hospital management boards
• * Issuance of a new retirement age circular for medical and dental practitioners

“We are at a breaking point. The few doctors who remain in Nigeria are being pushed out by injustice and neglect,” the NMA stated.

The NMA has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands or risk nationwide disruption of medical services.

 “We remain a responsible Association,” said Prof. Audu. “But if these issues are not resolved swiftly, we may have no choice but to take further action in the interest of our members and the health of the Nigerian people.”

This rejection follows closely on the heels of a similar outcry by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), signaling a brewing storm within the health sector. Both associations have raised the alarm over increasing emigration of healthcare professionals, worsened by poor welfare, inadequate remuneration, and policy insensitivity.

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