The federal government has announced plans to release ₦11.99 billion within 72 hours to clear part of the salary and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals across the country.
Alaba Balogun, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the move demonstrates government’s commitment to addressing the grievances of health workers.
The announcement follows the nationwide indefinite strike declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) over unmet demands, including unpaid entitlements and improved working conditions.
Balogun said the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, had, on President Bola Tinubu’s directive, transferred ₦21.3 billion to the IPPIS account for payment to health workers, including NARD members. He added that an earlier ₦10 billion was released in August to begin the payment of seven months’ arrears from the 25% and 35% salary review under CONMESS and CONHESS structures.
“All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in accordance with the salary structure in the health sector,” Balogun stated, reaffirming the government’s dedication to the welfare, motivation, and stability of the nation’s health workforce.
He further revealed that the federal government has granted special waivers to facilitate large-scale recruitment across federal tertiary institutions to mitigate the effects of brain drain and overwork. Over 20,000 health workers have been employed in 58 federal health institutions, while an additional 15,000 positions have been approved for recruitment in 2025.
Balogun also confirmed that ₦10.6 billion had been disbursed as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to resident doctors nationwide.
“This recruitment drive is part of a larger strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s health facilities are adequately staffed, safe, and equipped to deliver quality care to citizens,” the statement added.
In a bid to find lasting solutions to the ongoing disputes, the ministry announced the appointment of Professor Dafe Otobo, an expert in industrial relations, to mediate discussions between the government and health unions.
Otobo has reportedly met individually with all the unions, with a joint meeting held on October 24, 2025, to facilitate collective bargaining and ensure comprehensive agreements on long-standing issues.
The government noted that talks were progressing on all points raised by the unions, including specialist allowances, salary relativity, consultant cadre appointments, and other welfare-related matters.
“All these is being done to facilitate decisions at the CBA and ensure a comprehensive, universally discussed and agreed solutions to the agitations of health workers which has 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, appointment of consultant cadre in our hospitals and other welfare-related issues.”
Melissa Enoch
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