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Medical practitioners in Ekiti and Ondo states have voiced strong opposition to a recent circular issued by the Federal Government regarding the review of allowances for health workers, labeling it as "obnoxious" and a violation of existing agreements.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) branches in both states pledged to resist this policy, cautioning that non-withdrawal of the circular within the 21-day ultimatum set by the national organization could result in a nationwide strike.
NMA leaders contended that the decision jeopardizes previously established salary relations between doctors and other health workers, occurring amid an increasing brain drain, inadequate pay, and overwhelming workloads within Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The national body has given the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to retract a circular disseminated by the National Salary, Income and Wages Commission on June 27, 2025, referenced as SWC/S/04/S.218/11/646, specifically concerning the anticipated upward adjustment of allowances.
Dr. Ifedayo Oreyemi, the NMA Chairman for Ekiti State, urged the Federal Government on Thursday to promptly retract the circular before the ultimatum expires.
He stated that the circular represents a blatant disregard for previous Collective Bargaining Agreements that acknowledged the need for equity in the compensation of doctors relative to other healthcare workers.
"The Federal Government’s actions illustrate a lack of sensitivity and hypocrisy in adhering to previously established agreements with the NMA," Oreyemi noted.
He emphasized that Nigerian doctors rank among the world’s top physicians and surgeons and urged national leaders and politicians to invest in the country’s healthcare system, similar to practices in nations where they often seek medical assistance.
The state NMA chairman outlined demands that must be met to avert a strike, including the urgent withdrawal of the June 27, 2025 circular concerning medical/dental officers' allowances and immediate rectification of consequential adjustments in accordance with the agreements from 2001, 2009, and 2014 CBAs. The Ondo State NMA chapter also criticized the wages commission's decision to adjust allowances for medical and dental officers.
In a communiqué following an emergency meeting in Akure, the state capital, signed by state chairman Dr. Alonge Olumuyiwa and secretary Dr. Olaopa Gideon, the association condemned the circular as inappropriate and poorly timed, particularly given the current lack of health workers amidst the "Japa syndrome" affecting medical professionals.
The doctors expressed their support for the national officers' demands directed at the Federal Government, insisting on the immediate withdrawal of the circular and a revision of the minimum wage to encompass at least a 300 percent pay rise for all medical and dental practitioners.
"The circular from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission regarding the allowance review for medical and dental officers in the Federal Public Service has caused considerable concern among healthcare professionals.
“This reprehensible circular emerges in the context of a chronic deficiency of healthcare resources across various levels and facets of the healthcare system, exacerbated by the Japa syndrome, which has led to an increasing workload for those doctors and health workers who remain committed to serving the community.
Other significant issues include inadequate remuneration for doctors, poor working conditions, and a backlog of unpaid wages.
“Following our thorough review of this situation and its ramifications for the already beleaguered healthcare system in our country, the Ondo State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association wishes to strongly reject this circular,” the communiqué stated.
The association urged senior medical professionals to advocate for the profession, emphasizing that their voices could strengthen the collective effort.
It also instructed its members to remain prepared for further instructions regarding possible industrial action.
