Doctors’ Strike Eases as FG Commits ₦11.99 Billion in 72-Hour Window

The Federal Government has announced plans to disburse ₦11.99 billion within the next 72 hours to offset outstanding salary and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals. The move comes as part of an urgent effort to address the ongoing nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

According to a statement issued by the Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health, Alaba Balogun, the government is taking decisive steps to resolve the issues that led to the industrial action. These include matters related to the payment of arrears, recruitment of new healthcare workers, and broader reforms in the health sector.

Balogun noted that the planned payment is part of a coordinated strategy to stabilize the country’s health workforce and restore normalcy to public hospitals. “This payment is part of a coordinated effort to stabilize the health workforce and ensure uninterrupted medical services across the country,” she said.

The ministry disclosed that the release of funds was approved by President Bola Tinubu, who directed both the Ministries of Finance and Health to accelerate the settlement of financial obligations owed to health workers. It was further revealed that ₦21.3 billion had already been transferred to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) to cover salaries and allowances, including those of NARD members.

Earlier in August, the government had disbursed ₦10 billion to begin clearing seven months of arrears resulting from the 25% and 35% upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS). “All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in accordance with the salary structure in the health sector,” the ministry added.

In a bid to address the impact of brain drain and excessive workloads in public health institutions, the Federal Government has granted special waivers to enable large-scale recruitment of medical professionals across federal tertiary hospitals. Balogun confirmed that over 20,000 health workers have already been employed in 58 federal health institutions, with another 15,000 positions approved for 2025.

She also disclosed that ₦10.6 billion had been released as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), which was disbursed directly to resident doctors nationwide. “This recruitment drive is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s health facilities are adequately staffed, safe, and equipped to deliver quality care to citizens,” she said.

To foster lasting industrial peace, the ministry announced that it has engaged Professor Dafe Otobo, an industrial relations expert, to mediate discussions between the government and the various health unions. According to Balogun, Otobo has already met with all unions individually, followed by a joint session with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on October 24, 2025.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue and collective bargaining, noting that talks were ongoing on critical issues such as specialist allowances, salary relativity, and the appointment of consultant cadres in hospitals. “These efforts are aimed at ensuring a universally agreed resolution to the agitations of health workers, which has been missing in recent past negotiations,” Balogun concluded.

Resident doctors across the country have continued to decry poor working conditions, unpaid entitlements, and delayed promotions. In September, doctors in the Federal Capital Territory embarked on an indefinite strike to protest unpaid salaries and poor hospital facilities. Similarly, resident doctors in Kaduna State began an industrial action on September 1, 2025, citing the government’s failure to implement the revised 2024 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and other welfare agreements.