Medical doctors across Nigeria are set to receive ₦11.99 billion within 72 hours, as the Federal Government moves to clear part of the salary and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals.
Alaba Balogun, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health, announced the development in a statement on Saturday.
The move follows the indefinite nationwide strike declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) over unresolved welfare concerns.
According to the ministry, the Tinubu administration is taking “concrete actions” to meet the doctors’ demands, including recruitment drives, arrears payments, and structural reforms.
Balogun explained that, following a directive from President Bola Tinubu, the Ministries of Health and Finance had jointly transferred ₦21.3 billion to the IPPIS account for the payment of health workers, including NARD members. He added that another ₦10 billion was released in August to begin payment of seven months’ arrears arising from the 25 to 35 percent salary review under CONMESS and CONHESS.
“All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in line with the approved salary structure,” Balogun said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving the welfare and stability of Nigeria’s health workforce.
Doctors recruitment to Tackle Brain Drain
Balogun revealed that the government has granted special waivers to enable large-scale recruitment across federal tertiary hospitals to tackle the impact of brain drain and extended working hours.
He said over 20,000 health workers have already been recruited across 58 federal institutions, while 15,000 more positions have been approved for 2025.
Additionally, ₦10.6 billion was disbursed in September 2025 for the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), fully paid to resident doctors nationwide.
“This recruitment drive is part of a wider strategy to ensure our health facilities are well-staffed, safe and capable of providing quality care to citizens,” the statement noted.
Negotiator Engaged to Mediate Talks
The ministry also confirmed the appointment of Professor Dafe Otobo, an industrial relations expert, to mediate ongoing negotiations between the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), NARD and the government.
Otobo has met with all health unions individually, while a joint meeting with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare took place on 24 October 2025.
“These discussions aim to achieve a comprehensive and mutually agreed solution to issues such as specialist allowances, salary relativity, and the consultant cadre appointment system,” the ministry stated.
The government assured that all pending matters are being addressed to restore industrial harmony in the nation’s health sector.
