Doctors reject pay circular from Federal Government, warning of strike over breached salary deals, poor remuneration and worsening brain drain

Doctors reject pay circular from the Federal Government, describing it as obnoxious and a violation of longstanding salary agreements.

Also read: Ondo Doctors Warning Strike Disrupts Health Services Over Unmet Demands

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) chapters in Ekiti and Ondo states have denounced the June 27 circular issued by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

They say the review undermines pay relativity between doctors and other healthcare workers, warning of a nationwide strike if the circular is not withdrawn within the 21-day ultimatum.

NMA Ekiti Chairman, Dr Ifedayo Oreyemi, said on Thursday that the circular contradicts the Collective Bargaining Agreements signed in 2001, 2009 and 2014. He said it must be reversed to prevent industrial unrest.

“The action of the Federal Government demonstrated the insensitivity and hypocrisy of the government to keep to term with the agreements previously entered into with the NMA,” Oreyemi told journalists.

He warned that doctors would not hesitate to withdraw their services if the circular is not withdrawn.

The controversial directive, referenced SWC/S/04/S.218/11/646, proposes an upward review of allowances for certain categories of health workers without maintaining agreed salary relativity.

The national NMA has already issued a 21-day ultimatum, threatening that all chapters will down tools if the government fails to act.

Oreyemi described the situation as unacceptable and called on Nigeria’s political leaders to invest in the healthcare system. “Nigerian doctors are among the best in the world,” he said.

“Instead of undermining them, our leaders should build the kind of health systems they travel abroad to access.”

The action of the Federal Government demonstrated the insensitivity and hypocrisy of the government to keep to term with the agreements previously entered into with the NMA.

The Ondo State chapter also condemned the policy. Following an emergency meeting in Akure, the state capital, its leaders labelled the circular as ill-timed and harmful.

They cited mass emigration of doctors due to low morale and the “Japa” syndrome, which has left those remaining overworked and underpaid.

“This obnoxious circular is coming against the background of a perennial shortage of human resources for health,” the chapter said in a communique signed by Chairman Dr Alonge Olumuyiwa and Secretary Dr Olaopa Gideon.

They warned that the move threatens to collapse what remains of Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system.

“Other problems include very poor remuneration of doctors, poor conditions of service, and a backlog of owed arrears,” the statement added.

Beyond withdrawing the circular, the Ondo NMA demanded a 300 per cent pay rise for all medical and dental officers, as part of a new minimum wage package reflective of current economic realities.

The NMA also called for immediate correction of consequential adjustments in line with prior wage agreements.

Both chapters expressed total solidarity with the national body, urging senior medical professionals to publicly support the call for fair treatment.

They directed members in Ekiti and Ondo to remain on standby for possible strike action, pending further instructions from the national secretariat.

The 2025 circular has sparked nationwide concern among health workers, who argue that the government has failed to demonstrate good faith in negotiations.

Medical unions insist that this breach of trust will only worsen brain drain, affect patient care, and further cripple Nigeria’s already overburdened hospitals.

Also read: NMA Threatens Strike Over Controversial Doctors Allowance Circular

Doctors reject pay circular not just for its immediate financial impact, but for the larger implications it carries for morale, retention, and service delivery.