FG to disburse nearly N12bn arrears to doctors, other workers within 72 hours

The Federal Government has announced plans to release N11.995 billion within the next 72 hours to settle outstanding arrears, including accoutrement allowances, owed to doctors and other health professionals nationwide.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja, signed by its Deputy Director and Head of Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun.

According to the ministry, the payment forms part of efforts to address welfare issues raised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and other unions, as well as to reaffirm government’s commitment to maintaining industrial harmony and reforming the health sector.

The statement said the assurance was reiterated during a meeting led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, with NARD executives, following renewed agitation over delayed payments and welfare matters.

The announcement comes amid a nationwide strike that commenced on Saturday, involving about 11,000 resident doctors across 91 health facilities. The doctors are protesting unpaid arrears, allowance delays, and other welfare concerns despite previous government commitments.

NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, had earlier stated that the Federal Government owed doctors and health workers an estimated N38 billion in accumulated allowances.

READ ALSO:Medical doctors begin nationwide indefinite strike

The ministry, however, assured that it remains committed to ensuring the welfare, motivation, and stability of health personnel form the core of all its policies and programmes.

It stated, “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 ₦10bn 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 ₦21.3bn has been moved to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System account, and payment has commenced.

“In addition, the sum of ₦11.995bn 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 ₦10.6bn as of September 2025 as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, paid exclusively to resident doctors nationwide,” it stated.

To ease the impact of workforce shortages and long working hours, the ministry noted that government had approved special waivers for the recruitment of healthcare professionals across federal institutions.

It said over 20,000 health workers — including doctors, nurses, and allied professionals — were hired in 2024 across 58 federal health institutions, while recruitment for 2025 is ongoing, with 15,000 new staff already approved.

The ministry added that the recruitment initiative forms part of a larger plan to ensure Nigeria’s health facilities are adequately staffed and equipped to deliver quality services.

The statement further confirmed ongoing collective bargaining talks with the Nigerian Medical Association, the Joint Health Sector Unions, and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.

“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,” it said.

The negotiator, it added, has already met with the unions individually and jointly, and discussions are progressing on issues including allowances, salary relativity, and consultant cadre appointments.

The ministry also addressed the recent dismissal of five doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, noting that three of them—who did not face a duly constituted disciplinary committee—have been offered reabsorption, while the cases of two others are under review.

On certificate categorisation, it clarified that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria merely reclassified, not downgraded, certificates issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical College, describing the action as a routine regulatory measure.

It added that delays in payments and promotions were largely due to administrative bottlenecks within the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System but said engagements are underway to resolve them.

The statement concluded by reaffirming the government’s resolve to safeguard the rights and welfare of health workers while ensuring uninterrupted healthcare delivery.

“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,” it stated.