FG SUSPENDS CONTROVERSIAL CIRCULAR ON DOCTORS’ ALLOWANCES AFTER BACKLASH FROM NMA, OTHERS
Read Time:2 Minute, 39 Second
By: Sefiu Ajape
The Federal Government has put on hold the implementation of a recent circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which reviewed the allowances of medical and dental officers in the federal public service.
The circular—dated June 27, 2025, and referenced SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646—sparked strong opposition from various medical bodies, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors.
On July 2, the NMA issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the withdrawal of the circular and the resolution of other pending issues to prevent potential industrial action within the health sector.
President of the NMA, Prof. Audu Bala, criticized the circular, stating that it contains provisions that were not mutually agreed upon and which undermine the remuneration and welfare of medical professionals.
The NMA warned that it will ground medical services nationwide if the government fails to meet its demands at the expiration of the ultimatum by July 23.
Speaking exclusively with our correspondent on Monday, the President of NARD, Dr. Tope Osundara, said the circular has been abolished for further deliberations.
“Arising from the meeting chaired by Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy with his capacity as the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Salaries today, it was agreed at the implementation of circular with reference number SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646, dated June 27, 2025, should be suspended to allow for further consultation with various professional associations.
“So, it has been suspended for further negotiations,” Osundara stated.
Earlier, the Federal Government engaged in additional high-level meetings with representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in an effort to prevent industrial action.
NMA President, Prof. Audu Bala, acknowledged that the government showed a willingness to address the association’s concerns and approached the discussions with notable seriousness.
Furthermore, a circular dated July 18—exclusively obtained on Monday by our correspondent—confirmed the suspension.
The document, issued by the office of the Executive Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), was addressed to key officials, including the Chief of Staff to the President, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Ministers/Ministers of State, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The circular numbered SWC/S/04/S.218/III/658 was titled, “Re: Review of allowances for Medical/Dental and other health professionals in the Federal Public Service.”
The circular signed by the Chairman, NSIWC, Ekpo Nta, noted, “Arising from a meeting chaired by the Hon. Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister of the Economy in his capacity as the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) today at 3:00 pm, it was agreed that implementation of Circulars Nos: SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646 and SWC/S/04/S.218/III/651 dated 27th June 2025 respectively; and SWC/S/04/S.410/VII/658 dated 30th June 2025 should be suspended to allow for further consultation with the various Professional Associations and Unions in the Health and Education Sectors.”
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