The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that it will release ₦11.99 billion within the next 72 hours to settle the backlog of salaries and allowances owed to doctors and other medical professionals. This move comes as a swift response to the indefinite nationwide strike declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which has disrupted medical services in hospitals across the country.
The announcement was made on Saturday by Alaba Balogun, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health, who confirmed that the government was taking “concrete and immediate actions” to resolve the grievances of striking health workers. According to Balogun, the decision underscores the administration’s commitment to ensuring industrial harmony within Nigeria’s critical health sector.
“This payment is part of a coordinated effort to stabilize the health workforce and ensure uninterrupted medical services across the country,” Balogun stated.
Presidential Directive and Financial Commitments
The Ministry of Health revealed that the release of funds was a direct order from President Bola Tinubu, who instructed both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health to prioritise the payment of all outstanding entitlements owed to doctors.
On Thursday, a total of ₦21.3 billion was credited to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for the settlement of salaries and allowances across federal health institutions. This allocation, according to Balogun, includes payments due to resident doctors under the NARD.
In August, the government had also disbursed ₦10 billion to cover part of the seven months’ arrears resulting from the 25% and 35% upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), respectively. These upward adjustments were part of the federal government’s broader efforts to improve welfare packages for medical professionals and retain skilled health workers.
“All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in line with the new salary structure approved for the health sector,” Balogun added.
Recruitment and Residency Training Support
Beyond settling arrears, the Federal Government is implementing measures to address the worsening brain drain and manpower shortages in hospitals. Balogun announced that over 20,000 healthcare professionals have already been recruited across 58 federal health institutions, with approval granted for the recruitment of an additional 15,000 in 2025.
He also confirmed that as of September 2025, the government had fully released ₦10.6 billion for the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) — a dedicated pool that supports the training of resident doctors across Nigeria.
“This recruitment drive and residency support are part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s health facilities remain adequately staffed, safe, and capable of providing quality healthcare to citizens,” Balogun said.
Ongoing Negotiations and Industrial Relations Efforts
In a bid to resolve the ongoing crisis, the Ministry of Health has engaged Professor Dafe Otobo, a respected industrial relations expert, to mediate between the government and the various health sector unions. The ministry confirmed that Otobo has met with all the unions individually, as well as in a joint negotiation session held on October 24, 2025, involving representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Balogun noted that discussions are progressing on several contentious issues, including specialist allowances, salary relativity, and the appointment of consultant cadres in teaching hospitals. He emphasised that the government is committed to collective bargaining, ensuring that agreements reached are both fair and sustainable.
“These efforts are aimed at securing a unified and lasting resolution to the agitations of health workers, which has been lacking in previous negotiations,” Balogun concluded.
Background: Ongoing Strikes and Poor Welfare Conditions
Nigeria’s health sector has been plagued by frequent strikes, largely stemming from poor welfare, delayed salaries, and inadequate hospital infrastructure. In September 2025, resident doctors under the FCT Administration embarked on an indefinite strike over unpaid wages, stalled promotions, and deteriorating working conditions in public hospitals.
The strike, announced by Dr. George Ebong, President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA), has paralysed healthcare delivery in many parts of Abuja. Similarly, in late August, resident doctors in Kaduna State also downed tools, citing the government’s failure to implement the revised 2024 CONMESS agreement and other welfare-related demands.
Conclusion
The federal government’s decision to release ₦11.99 billion within 72 hours marks a significant step toward resolving the ongoing strike and restoring stability to Nigeria’s healthcare system. While the move has been welcomed as a positive development, observers say sustained commitment, transparent implementation, and long-term policy reforms are needed to prevent recurring labour crises in the health sector.
With recruitment efforts, residency funding, and structured negotiations underway, there is cautious optimism that the government’s latest intervention could pave the way for a more resilient and better-motivated healthcare workforce in Nigeria.
