Doctors’ Welfare And Industrial Harmony: Massive Recruitment, Payment of Arrears, And Reforms Underway

Abuja, November 1, 2025

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting industrial harmony, improving doctors’ welfare, and driving sustained reforms across Nigeria’s health sector, emphasizing that the wellbeing and motivation of health professionals remain central to the nation’s healthcare agenda.

This assurance came during a high-level meeting between the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), following the association’s recent expressions of concern over welfare-related issues.
In a statement issued by Alaba Balogun, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health, the government confirmed significant progress in meeting its commitments to health workers.

According to the statement, the Federal Government has begun paying seven months’ arrears of the 25%/35% CONMESS and CONHESS salary review, with ₦10 billion paid in August and another ₦21.3 billion transferred to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for disbursement as of October 30, 2025. Additionally, an extra ₦11.995 billion is currently being processed for release within the next 72 hours to clear remaining arrears, including the accoutrement allowance.
In further demonstration of its commitment, the government has disbursed ₦10.6 billion for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), ensuring that resident doctors nationwide receive full payment.

To address manpower shortages and reduce workload pressures, Dr. Salako disclosed that the Federal Government had granted special waivers for massive recruitment across Federal Tertiary Health Institutions. Over 20,000 health workers were recruited in 2024, and the recruitment drive for 2025 is already in progress, with 15,000 additional positions approved for immediate engagement.
The Ministry also confirmed that collective bargaining processes with key unions—including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANM)—are ongoing. These discussions, facilitated by a professional negotiator in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, aim to resolve all outstanding disputes and sustain industrial peace.

On the issue of certificate reclassification, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) clarified that the recent adjustment involving the West African Postgraduate Medical College was a routine regulatory reclassification—not a downgrade—from Category B to Category C. The Council stated that consultations are ongoing with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) to ensure clarity and fairness.

Addressing concerns about delays in salary payments and staff promotions, the Ministry attributed the challenges to ongoing administrative processes within the IPPIS platform. A joint committee comprising officials from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Federal Ministry of Health has been constituted to fast-track the resolution of these issues.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Dr. Salako noted that these measures reflect the Federal Government’s unwavering resolve to safeguard health workers’ rights, maintain industrial harmony, and guarantee uninterrupted access to quality healthcare services for all Nigerians.

“The wellbeing of our health workforce remains the bedrock of a strong, resilient health system. We are committed to ensuring that every health worker in Nigeria is adequately motivated, fairly treated, and well-supported,” the Minister stated.
With these developments, the Federal Government aims to strengthen confidence within the health sector, enhance service delivery, and sustain the ongoing reforms that prioritize both patient care and professional welfare.