The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Mannir Bature, has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to exercise caution and restraint in their public communication.
He further advised the two labour organisations to be careful on sensitive issues, especially regarding salary structures, to avoid misinforming workers or the general public.

Dr Bature made the remarks during a press conference in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State.
He also called on the Federal Government to remain focused on the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process as the appropriate, lawful and structured platform for addressing remuneration, welfare and industrial concerns within the health sector.

He added that the CBA framework offers a unique opportunity for holistic, inclusive and sustainable solutions, with all relevant stakeholders adequately represented.
The NMA emphasised the urgent need for the government to rationalise the health workforce in a manner that prioritises efficiency.

“Greater policy attention should be directed towards retaining, strengthening and incentivising frontline clinical workers, particularly doctors and nurses, who bear primary responsibility for direct patient care and clinical decision-making,” Dr Bature said.

“A significant proportion of ancillary and support services, many of which fall outside core clinical functions, can be more efficiently provided through structured outsourcing arrangements. Such an approach would reduce redundancy, optimise limited resources, improve value for money, and ultimately enhance the quality and responsiveness of healthcare services delivered to Nigerians.”

According to him, the interventions by NLC and TUC reflect fragmented, selective narratives, often driven by pressure rather than due process, and such approaches will not deliver lasting industrial harmony.
“What the health sector requires is comprehensive engagement, good-faith negotiations, respect for existing agreements, and adherence to clearly defined professional roles and responsibilities.
“The Nigerian Medical Association reaffirms its commitment to constructive dialogue, transparency and inter-professional harmony. We will continue to engage responsibly with government and labour institutions in the overall interest of healthcare workers and the Nigerian people.”

Dr Bature also clarified that there was no upgrade of CONMESS as falsely claimed. “What occurred was a correction of a long-standing error and distortion in the application of the CONMESS framework, which had persisted despite clear approvals and established public service guidelines.”

He added that the corrective action has merely restored CONMESS to its rightful and previously approved position. “By every objective, technical and administrative definition, a correction of an anomaly does not amount to an upgrade. The attempt to portray this correction as preferential treatment is therefore misleading and inaccurate, and risks creating unnecessary tension within the health sector.”

Dr Bature stressed that such narratives are capable of fuelling avoidable inter-professional discord at a time when unity and collaboration are critically needed to address the deep-seated and systemic challenges confronting Nigeria’s health system.
“The NMA is particularly concerned about the adversarial tone and issuance of public ultimatums on a matter that requires careful verification, technical understanding and institutional engagement.”