The Federal Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to ensuring industrial peace, harmony, and sustained reform in Nigeria’s health sector, stressing that the welfare, motivation, and stability of the nation’s health workforce remain the foundation upon which all health policies, strategies, and actions are built. The recruitment for 2025 is currently ongoing with over 15,000 health workers already approved to be employed.
This assurance was reiterated during a high-level meeting led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, between the top management of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), following the association’s recent agitations over welfare and professional concerns.
In a move to address welfare issues, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, began the payment of seven months’ arrears of the 25% and 35% upward review of CONMESS and CONHESS to all categories of health workers, with 10 billion naira paid in August 2025. Following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for these arrears owed to health workers, including members of NARD, to be paid expeditiously, another 21.3 billion naira was moved to the IPPIS account and payment has commenced. In addition, 11.995 billion naira is being processed for release within 72 hours to pay other arrears, including accoutrement allowance. According to the Ministry, “All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in accordance with the salary structure in the health sector.”
To further tackle the strain caused by brain drain and prolonged working hours, the Federal Government has granted special waivers to enable massive recruitment of healthcare professionals across Federal Tertiary Institutions. Under the Renewed Hope Health Agenda, over 20,000 health workers, including doctors, nurses, and allied professionals, were employed across 58 Federal Health Institutions in 2024. The recruitment for 2025 is ongoing, with more than 15,000 new health workers already approved to be employed to strengthen human resources for health.
Additionally, the Federal Government has released 10.6 billion naira as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), paid exclusively to resident doctors nationwide. The Ministry explained that the recruitment drive and financial interventions are part of a larger strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s health facilities are adequately staffed, safe, and equipped to deliver quality care to citizens.
The Ministry confirmed that collective bargaining discussions are ongoing with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), of which NARD is an affiliate, the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANM). To deepen dialogue and resolve controversial issues that have emerged during the collective bargaining process, the Ministry engaged a professional negotiator, Professor Dafe Otobo, a Professor of Industrial Relations. He is facilitating constructive engagements between government representatives and union leaders, with the active involvement of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
According to the Ministry, “The negotiator has since met with all the unions individually, and a joint meeting of the unions with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has also taken place as of Thursday, 24th October 2025. All these efforts are being made to facilitate decisions at the CBA and ensure comprehensive, universally discussed, and agreed solutions to the agitations of health workers which have been missing in recent past negotiations.”
The Ministry further noted that discussions are progressing on all the points raised by the health unions, including NARD. “Such issues include specialist and other allowances, salary relativity, appointment of consultant cadre in hospitals, and other welfare-related issues. The Ministry of Labour and Productivity has expressed its readiness to conclude the collective bargaining process once consensus is reached,” the statement added.
On the dismissal of five doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, the Ministry stated that three of the affected staff, who had not faced a properly constituted disciplinary committee, have been offered the opportunity to be reabsorbed into Federal Government employment if they wish. For the two others who faced a disciplinary panel constituted in line with the public service rule, their cases have been referred to Professor Dafe Otobo to review the circumstances surrounding their dismissal and submit a report within four weeks for necessary administrative action.
Addressing concerns about certificate categorization, the Ministry clarified that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) did not downgrade certificates issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical College but merely reclassified them from Category B to C, describing the move as a routine regulatory adjustment. Consultations are ongoing with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) to resolve any concerns arising from the reclassification.
Regarding payment delays and promotions, the Ministry attributed the issues to processes within the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) but assured that engagements are ongoing with relevant agencies to fast-track solutions. On the matter of special pension benefits, it clarified that the issue falls under the purview of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF). A joint committee has already been set up to address the matter in collaboration with stakeholders.
The Ministry emphasized that sustaining industrial peace is central to ensuring effective healthcare delivery in Nigeria. It explained that all actions taken so far, including financial settlements, negotiations, and recruitment efforts, reflect the Federal Government’s strong determination to safeguard the rights and welfare of health workers while maintaining harmony in the sector.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reiterates that these interventions reflect the Federal Government’s unalloyed resolve to safeguard the rights and welfare of health workers, ensure industrial harmony, and uphold uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services to Nigerians,” the statement said.
Dr. Salako reaffirmed that the government’s approach to healthcare reform under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) is centered on the people who deliver care. “Our health workforce is the bedrock of Nigeria’s healthcare reform. Every policy, investment, and strategy we implement under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, NHSRII, is anchored on their well-being, motivation, and professional fulfillment,” he stated.
