NMA gives FG 21 days to withdraw salary adjustment circular

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate withdrawal of a new circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) regarding the review of allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service.

The circular, dated June 27, 2025, has been strongly rejected by the NMA, which described it as “inadequate, misleading, and a clear violation” of existing agreements reached through collective bargaining with the government.

Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, NMA President, Professor Bala Audu, warned that failure to address the association’s concerns within the 21-day window could result in serious disruptions across Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“This circular violates the spirit and terms of long-standing agreements between the NMA and the federal government. We were not consulted before this unilateral move,” Audu stated.

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the Nigerian public to intervene urgently to prevent a potential healthcare crisis.

Professor Audu outlined the association’s key demands, which include the immediate withdrawal and replacement of the circular with one that accurately reflects previously agreed terms.

The NMA is also calling for the correction of salary adjustments as stipulated in the 2001, 2009, and 2014 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), as well as the proper enforcement of relativity between the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), including payment of all accrued backlogs.

Additional demands include the prompt settlement of outstanding arrears of CONMESS, clinical duty, and accoutrement allowances; the release and economic review of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF); and the resumption of delayed negotiations under the CBA framework. The NMA also wants circulars issued to formalize allowances for honorary consultants, as agreed in January 2024.

The association further insists on the implementation of specialist, scarce skills, and excess workload allowances for all doctors, adherence to agreed relativity in all professional allowances—especially call duty allowances—as per the 2001 CBA, and full implementation of the 2021 hazard allowance agreement. It also demanded the enforcement of the 2024 CONMESS circular for house officers and the nationwide application of CONMESS across federal and state institutions to curb internal brain drain.

Other key demands include comprehensive health insurance for all medical and dental practitioners, the immediate constitution of hospital management boards, implementation of the revised retirement age for doctors, better welfare and support systems for healthcare workers, and a reversal of the appointment of non-medical professionals as hospital consultants to uphold care standards and ensure patient safety.

Reaffirming the association’s commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians, Prof. Audu said the NMA’s demands are anchored on fairness, professional standards, and the survival of the healthcare system.

“We urge the government to act swiftly. The clock is ticking. These issues must be addressed within 21 days to prevent a complete breakdown of healthcare services across the country,” he warned.