FG pledges to release N11.995bn arrears to doctors, other health workers within 72 hours

The federal government has promised to release N11.995 billion within 72 hours for the payment of outstanding arrears, including the accoutrement allowance, to doctors and other healthcare workers across the country.

 

It was earlier reported that Dr Muhammad Suleiman, President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, had told journalists on Monday that the federal government owes approximately 50,000 health workers, including doctors across the country, about N38 billion in salary arrears, excluding allowances, reports Sunday Guardian.

 

The resident doctors yesterday embarked on a nationwide indefinite strike and ordered its 11,000 members in both federal and state-owned health facilities to withdraw their services.

 

In a statement signed by the Deputy Director and Head, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Alaba Balogun, the government noted that the move is part of ongoing efforts to resolve welfare concerns raised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors and other unions, and to reaffirm the federal government’s commitment to industrial peace and reform in the health sector.

 

According to the statement, the assurance was reached during a high-level meeting led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, between the top management of the ministry and the leadership of NARD, following the association’s recent agitations over welfare and professional concerns.

 

It noted that the government remains committed to ensuring that the welfare, motivation, and stability of the nation’s health workforce serve as the foundation of all health policies and programmes.

 

The statement reads, “In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare commenced the payment of seven months’ arrears of the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure to all categories of health workers, with N10bn 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, as of Thursday, October 30, another sum of N21.3bn has been moved to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System account, and payment has commenced.

 

“In addition, the sum of N11.995bn is being processed for release within 72 hours to pay other arrears, including accoutrement allowance. All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in accordance with the salary structure in the health sector. Additionally, the Federal Government has released N10.6bn as of September 2025 as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, paid exclusively to resident doctors nationwide,” it stated.

 

The ministry announced that the federal government had granted special waivers for the massive recruitment of healthcare professionals across federal tertiary institutions in order to address the strain caused by brain drain and prolonged working hours.

 

It stated that over 20,000 health workers, including doctors, nurses, and allied professionals, were recruited across 58 federal health institutions in 2024, while recruitment for 2025 is ongoing, with 15,000 health workers already approved for employment.

 

The statement noted that the 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, adding that the collective bargaining discussions are ongoing with the Nigerian Medical Association, where NARD is an affiliate, the Joint Health Sector Unions, and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.

 

It added, “To deepen dialogue and proffer solutions to controversial issues that arose in the course of the CBA, the Ministry has engaged a professional negotiator who is a Professor of Industrial Relations, Prof Dafe Otobo, to facilitate further constructive engagements between government and union leaders, with the active involvement of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

 

“The negotiator has since met with all the unions individually. A joint meeting of the unions with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, with the negotiator, has also taken place as of Thursday, October 24, 2025.

 

“All these are being done 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. “Discussions are progressing on all the points raised by the health unions, including NARD, an affiliate of NMA. Such issues include specialist and other allowances, salary relativity, the appointment of consultant cadre in our 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 pointed out that regarding the dismissal of five doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, three of the affected staff who did not face a properly constituted disciplinary committee have been offered the opportunity to be reabsorbed into service if they wish, while two others who had appeared before a disciplinary panel will have their cases reviewed by Prof Otobo, who is expected to submit a report within four weeks for appropriate administrative action.

 

On the issue of certificate categorisation, the ministry explained that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria reclassified, rather than downgraded, certificates issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical College from Category B to C, describing it as a routine regulatory adjustment, and said consultations are ongoing with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to address any concerns arising from the decision.

 

The ministry also blamed the delays in payment and promotions on administrative processes within the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System but assured that engagements are ongoing with relevant agencies to fast-track resolutions.

 

It further clarified that issues concerning special pension benefits fall under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

 

A joint committee, it added, has been constituted to resolve the matter in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

 

“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 the uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services to Nigerians. 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 is anchored on their well-being, motivation, and professional fulfilment,” the statement added.