The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has rejected the new circular issued by the National Salary Income and Wages Commission on the review of allowances for Medical and Dental Officers in the Federal Public Service, describing it as a violation of previous collective bargaining agreements.

The association, while calling for immediate intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, gave the federal government a 21-day ultimatum to come up with a new circular that reflects previous agreements reached between the duo to avert disruption in the health services rendered to the Nigerian people.

Briefing journalists yesterday evening in Abuja, President of NMA, Prof. Bala Audu, noted that the Circular (SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646) dated 27th June 2025, is grossly misleading and constitutes a flagrant violation of the spirit and letter of the agreements painstakingly reached during the collective bargaining process between the NMA and the Federal Government.

Audu noted that the recent occurrence has aggravated a pre-existing tension amongst the remaining doctors who still find it patriotic to remain here to practice.

Audu pointed out that the government’s effort to curb brain drain is dismal, stressing that among the many factors that propel brain drain in Nigeria is the poor welfare of doctors and other health workers in the country.

He stated that all the agreements reached with the government on the adjustment of salary packages are yet to be implemented. Rather, the circular that was released showed that there is an erosion of what they are enjoying.

He said, “The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) expresses grave disappointment and unequivocally condemns the circular purportedly issued to address the consequential adjustment of allowances under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria.

“We reject this new circular in its entirety and demand a new circular that reflects previous agreements reached. We want to bring this to the attention of Mr. President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Assembly, and the general public, whom we are under oath to always protect and promote their wellbeing.

“The principles of fairness and justice must be applied in adjusting allowances as agreed in the past. We have also sent the correct table as requested by relevant organs of government. However, we are dismayed that it was discarded, and we were never contacted in any discussion before the unilateral circularisation.”

Audu demanded the immediate withdrawal of the circular on the review of allowances for medical/dental officers in the federal public service dated 27th June 2025, and immediate correction of consequential adjustments in line with the agreements of 2001, 2009, and 2014 CBAs.

He explained that the issue transcends beyond the Federal Ministry of Health and must be rectified by the National Income Salaries and Wages Commission and the Federal Ministry of Finance, and appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the commission to do the right thing.

He also called for the immediate correction of the relativity agreed between CONMESS and CONHESS, and compliance with relativity in all professional allowances in accordance with the 2001 CBA, particularly regarding call duty allowances, and the payment of all accrued backlogs, immediate settlement of all outstanding arrears of 25/35% CONMESS, clinical duty and accoutrement allowances owed to medical and dental practitioners.

Other demands by the NMA include immediate payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for 2025, and review of the MRTF to reflect prevailing economic realities; immediate convocation of the long-overdue Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations on CONMESS; immediate release of the circular on clinical duty and other allowances for honorary consultants as agreed in January 2024.

Audu stressed the need for universal application of the CONMESS across all federal and state MDAs to combat internal brain drain, and provision of comprehensive health insurance coverage for all medical and dental practitioners.

The NMA President called for the immediate constitution of management boards for federal hospitals to enhance governance and operational efficiency as provided in the Acts for Federal Tertiary Institutions, and issuance of a circular implementing the reviewed retirement age for medical and dental practitioners, as well as the immediate reversal of the appointment of other healthcare professionals as consultants in hospitals, to ensure patient safety and uphold standards of care.