The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has outrightly opposed a recent directive from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) concerning revised allowances for medical and dental professionals in federal government service.
Dated June 27, 2025, and bearing reference number SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646, the circular has sparked strong reactions across the country’s medical community.
Among the professional bodies voicing discontent are the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and NARD.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NARD criticized the circular as disorganized and disrespectful. The document was jointly signed by the association’s President, Dr. Tope Osundara, and Secretary-General, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku.
“It bespeaks the level of insouciance that has repeatedly been shown towards Nigerian doctors, who sacrifice their time and effort in the midst of poor working conditions, shortage of manpower, and limited infrastructure.
“For over a decade, the Nigerian government has not fulfilled the tenets of the 2009 collective bargaining agreement reached with Nigerian doctors,” the statement read in part.
The group further argued that the revised structure does not offer competitive remuneration, especially given the country’s current economic climate. It also fails, they noted, to address the key issues prompting Nigerian healthcare professionals to seek opportunities abroad—namely burnout, inadequate welfare, and lack of overtime pay.
“The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission unilaterally decided to conjure a chaotic allowance structure without transparency and a proper framework that creates mutual respect and understanding.
“The allowance structure as released by the NSIWC lacks attractive and adequate compensation that reflects the hard economic reality we presently face as Nigerian doctors.
“It also fails to address the critical concerns that are negatively impacting the nation’s healthcare system.
“It completely fails to come to grips with the push-and-pull factors of health workforce migration and the consequences of such migration on the Nigerian health system.
“Nigeria is suffering from severe shortages of health workers, stemming from poor welfare packages, poor working conditions, excessive workload, burnout, mental fatigue, and lack of compensation for overtime.
“In the face of all these challenges, what the NSIWC has offered on behalf of the Federal Government is a disrespectful gesture to Nigerian doctors,” the statement said.
The association called on the Federal Government to form a new negotiation panel that honours existing collective bargaining agreements and recognizes the demands of medical professionals.
“NARD therefore demands a revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and allowances as submitted to the Federal Ministry of Health, in keeping with the collective bargaining agreements earlier made with the Federal Government, including payment of specialist allowance to all doctors.
“The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors is in solidarity with the demands of the NMA and wishes to state that a fresh negotiation team that aligns with the principles of the Collective Bargaining Agreement should be set up,” the statement added.
In a related move, the NMA has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to retract the circular and address its concerns to avoid potential disruption in the healthcare sector. The association expressed its dissatisfaction with the adjustments under the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, describing the circular as disappointing and inadequate for medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria.
