Nigerian Medical Association Logo

Abuja, Nigeria — July 2025: The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the urgent implementation of agreed-upon welfare improvements for doctors across the country — or risk a nationwide strike.

In a statement released after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the NMA said its members could no longer endure the “continued neglect and unfair treatment” by the government, particularly on issues relating to pay, hazard allowances, and poor working conditions.

🩺 Key Demands by NMA

The NMA outlined several outstanding issues, including:

• Non-payment of newly reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS)
• Non-implementation of new hazard allowance
• Poor funding of hospitals and lack of essential equipment
• Skewed promotion and appointment processes
• Delays in the enrollment of doctors into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS)
• Security threats facing medical professionals, especially in rural areas

The association also decried the ongoing brain drain, saying many young doctors were leaving Nigeria due to poor working conditions and lack of career progression.

🗣️ NMA President Speaks

NMA President, Dr. Bala Audu, who spoke at the NEC meeting in Abuja, said the association has shown patience and engaged constructively with the government, but “nothing tangible” has come from these engagements.

“Doctors are tired of the unending promises. We cannot continue to lose our colleagues to burnout, insecurity, or greener pastures due to failed promises,” Dr. Audu said.

He emphasized that the 21-day ultimatum would begin immediately, and failure to meet their demands within that period would lead to an indefinite nationwide industrial action.

This looming strike comes amid growing concerns over Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system:

• Overworked and underpaid doctors
• Lack of basic medical infrastructure
• Mounting patient load per doctor
• Persistent insecurity deterring health workers from rural deployment

Health policy analysts warn that a strike by doctors would cripple Nigeria’s public healthcare system, especially at a time when cholera, diphtheria, and TB outbreaks are spreading in several states.

🛠️ What NMA Wants the FG to Do

The association is demanding:

• Immediate release and implementation of the newly reviewed CONMESS
• Payment of arrears and allowances owed to its members
• Concrete action on hospital infrastructure upgrades
• Strengthened doctor security, especially in high-risk areas
• Clear promotion and posting policies at federal and state levels

The NMA said it was also reviewing conditions in state-run health facilities and warned state governments against ignoring similar grievances raised by doctors under their employ.