Gives FG 21 days to come up with new circular

Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has rejected the new circular issued by the National Salary Income and Wages Commission on 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 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 health services.

Briefing journalists yesterday evening in Abuja, the President of NMA, Prof Bala Audu, noted that the Circular (SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646), dated June 27, 2025, was misleading and constituted 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 had aggravated a pre-existing tension among the remaining doctors, who still find it patriotic to remain here to practise.

Audu pointed out that the government’s effort to curb brain drain was dismal, stressing that among the many factors propelling brain drain in Nigeria was 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 had not yet been implemented; rather, the circular that was released showed an erosion of existing benefits.