Posted on: Tue 29-07-2025

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has once again raised a red flag over the worsening crisis within the nation’s healthcare sector, particularly in Jigawa State, where a growing exodus of doctors is threatening to cripple medical services. At the heart of the crisis are unresolved issues of poor remuneration, government inaction on promised salary reviews, and what the association describes as a longstanding pattern of neglect and broken promises from relevant authorities.

Speaking at a press conference in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, the state chapter chairman of the NMA, Dr. Usman Haruna, painted a grim picture of the local healthcare system’s future. According to him, no fewer than 30 medical doctors have left the state’s employment since February 2025 in search of better working conditions in neighbouring states and federal institutions. Dr. Haruna lamented that these departures represent some of the state's most experienced and dedicated health professionals, and warned that the continued loss of skilled personnel constitutes a serious threat to the functionality of Jigawa’s healthcare delivery system. “This haemorrhage of talent threatens the very foundation of our state’s healthcare system,” he warned.

Haruna further attributed the doctor exodus to the state government's failure to implement critical salary adjustments, noting that the salary review committee inaugurated by Governor Umar Namadi had failed to produce its report five months after its establishment. The prolonged silence, coupled with inaction, has deeply frustrated health workers and left them feeling abandoned.

The situation in Jigawa mirrors a broader national concern. At a recent Emergency Delegates Meeting (EDM), the NMA’s national body issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, starting from July 27, 2025, demanding the full resolution of 19 pending demands. If these issues remain unaddressed by the deadline, the association has vowed to commence a nationwide, indefinite strike.

The communique from the EDM, jointly signed by NMA President Prof. Bala Audu and Secretary-General Dr. Benjamin Egbo, condemned what they described as the government’s "nonchalant attitude" toward doctors’ welfare and the persistent disregard for collective bargaining agreements. The association also cited the delayed payment of seven-month arrears resulting from the 25/35 percent adjustments to the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS), the government’s failure to respect prior agreements, and its general neglect of the health sector as aggravating factors.

The NMA warned that the federal and state governments’ repeated failures to address these long-standing grievances not only risk triggering a mass withdrawal of medical services across the country but also exacerbate Nigeria’s worsening health indicators. “These actions and inactions of the government at all levels are capable of increasing brain drain and worsening our already sub-par health indices,” the communiqué read. It also called on Nigerian doctors to remain united and committed to the association’s collective goals.

Meanwhile, in Lagos State, tensions also escalated as doctors under the Medical Guild embarked on a three-day warning strike beginning July 28. The strike was prompted by what the group described as "unlawful and disrespectful" salary deductions. The protest, scheduled to run until July 31, reflects growing discontent among medical professionals at state level.

Responding to the situation, Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, acknowledged the doctors’ concerns and appealed for a suspension of the strike. He assured that the state government was actively addressing the issues, including investigating the alleged deductions and seeking swift resolutions.

As the July 27 ultimatum looms, the medical community in Nigeria finds itself at a critical juncture. With growing frustration, mass resignations, and industrial action looming or already underway, the NMA’s warnings offer a stark reminder of the fragile state of the nation’s healthcare system — and the urgent need for responsive governance.

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