The federal government says it will release the sum of N11.99 billion within 72 hours to offset some of the salary and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals in the country.
Alaba Balogun, head of information and public relations at the federal ministry of health, announced the development in a statement released on Saturday.
The announcement comes just hours after the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) commenced a nationwide indefinite strike over unmet demands of its members.
According to the ministry, the government is taking “concrete actions” to address the concerns raised by the doctors, adding that recruitment, payment of arrears, and reforms are underway.
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Balogun explained that the health ministry, in collaboration with the ministry of finance, following a directive from President Bola Tinubu to expeditiously pay health workers’ arrears, had, on Thursday, moved N21.3 billion to the IPPIS account for the payment of health workers, including NARD members.
He added that a total of N10 billion was released in August to commence the payment of seven months’ arrears from the 25 percent/35 percent upward review of CONMESS and CONHESS to all categories of health workers.
“All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in accordance with the salary structure in the health sector,” the statement reads.
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The government reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare, motivation, and stability of the nation’s health workforce.
RECRUITMENT DRIVE TO ADDRESS BRAIN DRAIN
Balogun further said the federal government has granted special waivers to enable massive recruitment of healthcare professionals across federal tertiary institutions to address the strain caused by brain drain and prolonged working hours.
He explained that over 20,000 health workers were employed across 58 federal health institutions, adding that more than 15,000 have already been approved for employment in 2025.
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“Additionally, the Federal Government has released N10.6 billion as at September 2025 as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) paid exclusively to resident doctors nationwide,” the statement further reads.
“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.”
NEGOTIATOR APPOINTED TO MEDIATE BETWEEN NMA, FG
The ministry also disclosed that it has engaged the services of Dafe Otobo, a professor of industrial relations, to “facilitate further constructive engagements” between health unions and the government.
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The ministry noted that collective bargaining discussions are ongoing between the health unions and the government to resolve lingering issues.
“The negotiator has since met with all the unions individually. A joint meeting of the unions with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with the negotiator has also taken place as of Thursday, 24th October 2025,” the ministry said.
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“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 includes specialist and other allowances, salary relativity, appointed of consultant cadre in our hospitals and other welfare-related issues.”
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