The Federal Government has disbursed ₦43.3 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.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that President Bola Tinubu had approved the expedited payment of arrears owed to health workers, including members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
According to him, as of Thursday, October 30, an additional ₦21.3 billion had been transferred to the IPPIS account, and payment to beneficiaries had commenced. In addition, ₦11.995 billion is being processed for release within 72 hours to settle other outstanding arrears, including the accouterment allowance.
Dr. Salako explained that these payments are being made in line with the approved salary structure for the health sector. “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 ₦10.6 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. 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 the 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.
Earlier, NARD commenced a nationwide total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike.
Muhammad Suleiman, NARD president, announced the development in a statement released on Saturday.
The industrial action follows a five-hour meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) held last week, during which members resolved to embark on the strike.
The doctors are demanding fair remuneration, payment of salary arrears, improved working conditions, adequate staffing, and the provision of essential medical infrastructure.
Their concerns also include excessive workloads, which they say directly affect the quality of healthcare delivered to Nigerians.
The association is calling for a 200 percent increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), full implementation of the new allowances proposed in July 2022, immediate recruitment of clinical staff, and removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks hindering the replacement of exiting doctors.
