Doctors to embark on strike if Abuja after years of govt’s failed promises
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Public sector doctors have warned the Federal Government that they would embark on another strike on July 27 if Abuja fails to meet its demands that have been pending since Muhammadu Buhari was in the saddle in Aso Rock.
Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) President Bala Audu, a Professor, said the association would take decisive action because its demands are critical to the survival of the healthcare system and the welfare of medical professionals across the country.
The NMA on July 2 issued an ultimatum in protest against a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) on revised allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service, which the doctors rejected for violating prior agreements.
The association issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government to withdraw the circular and meet its other demands to avert industrial action.
“We have made our position clear. The ultimatum ends on July 23, and if the Federal Government does not address our demands, we may have no choice but to proceed with a strike,” Audu told The PUNCH.
He explained that the circular contains provisions not mutually agreed upon and which undermine the remuneration and welfare of medical professionals.
“We have rejected that circular outright. We expect that any new directive affecting our members should be the outcome of mutual consultation, not something imposed.
“The last meeting happened two weeks ago and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate; the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako; the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Hospital Services, and the representative of minister of labour were at the meeting, and some affiliates of the NMA were present, and I was part of that meeting as well.
“The Minister appreciated us, then he spoke about the issues as contained in the list of demands from the NMA.
“However, he felt that we should go for a further meeting, and another meeting was slated for last week, unfortunately, in the week, we lost the former President Muhammadu Buhari, so the meeting couldn’t be held.
“However, the next meeting is supposed to happen between us, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which issued a circular that we feel is obnoxious, and we have rejected it. We would also meet with the Ministry of Finance and representatives from the Ministry of Health.”
Audu expressed concern that time is running out, and unless the meeting is held within the next few days, the association may be left with no alternative to industrial action.
“We expect that after the funeral ceremonies, government stakeholders will reconvene with us, hopefully by Monday. Otherwise, the 21-day ultimatum still stands.
“If the government fails to prioritise this matter, a strike may be inevitable.”
NMA Katsina branch, in a communique issued after its State Executive Council meeting, expressed “grave disappointment” and “unequivocal condemnation” over the circular.
The meeting, held in Katsina on July 19, resolved that “NMA Katsina State branch hereby rejects National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission’s (NSIWC) circular (SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646) dated 27th June, 2025 on review of allowances for medical/dental officers in the federal public service and demands urgent government withdrawal action and fulfillment of all the demands.”
The communique was jointly signed by NMA Katsina Chairman Muhammadu Sani and Secretary Yahya Salisu.
It warned that the branch cannot guarantee non-disruption of health services if the demands are not met.
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