The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State chapter, Dr. Aniekan Peter, has strongly criticized the Federal Government for what he termed the gradual conversion of Nigerian doctors into “modern-day slaves,” forced to work under extreme conditions without fair compensation.
Speaking during a press conference in Uyo on Friday, Dr. Peter condemned the prevailing conditions under which medical professionals operate, including working continuously for over 72 hours with little rest, only to receive wages he described as grossly inadequate.
“Doctors now work more than 72 hours at a stretch, often without going home or seeing their families. Despite these sacrifices, they take home earnings that can barely sustain their households, let alone afford a car or meet other basic needs,” he lamented.
Dr. Peter expressed outrage at the recent circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which proposed a meagre increase in doctors’ allowances. He labeled the proposed adjustments as “insensitive and insulting,” stating that it fails to reflect the value and contribution of healthcare workers.
Further expressing his displeasure, he criticized the federal government for its preferential treatment of Nigerian doctors posted abroad, particularly referencing the decision by President Bola Tinubu to deploy doctors to St. Lucia with a proposed salary of N3 million, while those working locally earn around N300,000.
“It is unacceptable that doctors serving this nation are being paid such meagre amounts while their counterparts posted abroad receive ten times more. This disparity is a slap in the face of those who have chosen to stay and serve their homeland,” he said.
Dr. Peter highlighted the increasing trend of medical professionals emigrating to neighboring countries like Ghana, Togo, Liberia, and Cameroon in search of better opportunities, calling the situation “an embarrassment to Nigeria.”
During the briefing, he also presented a communiqué from the state branch of the NMA, expressing full support for the 21-day ultimatum issued by the National Officers Committee (NOC) of the association. This ultimatum followed the controversial circular on revised allowances.
The communiqué rejected the circular in its entirety and endorsed additional recommendations, complementing the NOC’s existing 19-point demand list to the Federal Government. Among the key demands are:
- A minimum 300% increase in salaries for all medical and dental practitioners
- Equal implementation of all salary and allowance adjustments across all medical institutions, whether federal, state, private, or university-owned
- Immediate withdrawal of the June 27, 2025 circular on revised allowances
- Rectification of discrepancies in line with the 2001, 2009, and 2014 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs)
- Recalibration of salary relativity between CONMESS and CONHESS structures
- Payment of outstanding arrears on CONMESS (25–35%), clinical duty, and call duty allowances
Dr. Peter urged the Federal Government to act swiftly to resolve the deepening crisis affecting doctors’ welfare in the country, warning that continued neglect would only accelerate the mass exit of skilled health professionals.
