Following the approval of N11.99 billion for the payment of outstanding dues and allowances to health workers, the Federal Government and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have resumed high-level talks to resolve the ongoing nationwide strike by medical professionals.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja and signed by its Deputy Director and Head of Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun.
The ministry said the move is part of new efforts to address welfare grievances raised by NARD and other health associations, as well as reaffirming the government's commitment to restoring industrial peace in the country's health sector.
The announcement comes at a time when over 11,000 resident doctors from 91 federal and state hospitals have launched a nationwide strike following unresolved issues of unpaid dues, attendant allowances and other welfare demands.
Also read: 91 hospitals, 11,000 doctors, 19 demands – inside NARD's indefinite strike
According to the ministry, the decision on the faster payment was made during a high-level meeting between the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziak Salako, and the leadership of NARD in Abuja.
“In line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that all legitimate arrears of health workers are paid, the Federal Government has approved the release of N11.995 billion within 72 hours for the payment of outstanding arrears including support allowances,” the statement said.
The ministry further disclosed that payment of seven months of arrears following the review of Consolidated Medical Pay Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Pay Structure (CONHESS) from 25 per cent to 35 per cent has already commenced, with N10 billion paid in August 2025 and another N21.3 billion transferred to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) account by October 30.
Also, the Federal Government has disbursed N10.6 billion as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) specifically for resident doctors across the country.
Dr Salako said the Ministry is committed to ensuring that the well-being, motivation and sustainability of Nigeria’s health workforce forms the basis of all health sector policies and reforms.
As part of broader reforms to address the impact of brain drain and overwork in public hospitals, the ministry said it was to recruit more than 20,000 health workers, including doctors, nurses and allied professionals, across 58 federal health institutions in 2024. Recruitment continues for 2025, with an additional 15,000 personnel already approved for employment.
Also read: petralonStrike: Resident doctors say FG owes health workers N38bn in allowances
To maintain dialogue with labor unions, the government has appointed Professor Dafe Otobo, a renowned industrial relations expert, to mediate collective bargaining discussions with NARD, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The ministry assured that talks are progressing on contentious issues like specialist allowances, pay relativity and consultant cadre appointments.
“The Federal Government reiterates its resolve to protect the rights and welfare of all health workers and ensure uninterrupted delivery of quality health services to Nigerians,” the statement affirmed.
With this development, stakeholders are hopeful that the doctors' strike, which has already paralyzed services in major hospitals, will soon end, thereby restoring normalcy in Nigeria's battered healthcare system.
