NIGERIA: NMA Gives FG 21-day Ultimatum, Threatens Strike Over Salary Circular

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Nigerian Medical Association has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address its concerns over a new circular on medical allowances or face a nationwide strike.

At a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, the NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, described the circular released by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on June 27 as a violation of previous collective bargaining agreements.

According to him, the circular, which reviewed the allowances for medical and dental officers under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), was issued without recourse to earlier agreements made in 2001, 2009, and 2014.

Audu said: “The circular is grossly inadequate and misleading. It breaches the spirit and letter of agreements painstakingly reached with the Federal Government.”

He stressed that the association had already submitted an accurate salary structure to the relevant government bodies, which was not reflected in the newly released document.

The association is demanding the immediate withdrawal of the circular and correction of consequential salary adjustments, full payment of all accrued arrears of allowances, implementation of the 2024 CONMESS circular for house officers, and the release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.

Other demands include the implementation of specialist, excess workload, and scarce skills allowances; compliance with existing agreements on hazard allowances; and universal application of the CONMESS structure across all health institutions in the country.

The NMA also called for the constitution of hospital management boards, provision of comprehensive health insurance for medical professionals, and the reversal of the appointment of other healthcare professionals as consultants.

The association warned that failure to meet the outlined demands within 21 days would lead to industrial action that could disrupt healthcare services across the country.

“We have shown goodwill through continuous engagement with relevant authorities, but if our demands are not met within the stipulated time, we will have no choice but to act,” Audu stated.

The Federal Government has yet to respond officially to the ultimatum as of the time of filing this report.