[Nigeria] Gov’t pledges to release N11.995b wage arrears to doctors and health workers

On November 1, in Nigeria, the Federal Government pledged to release N11.995 billion within 72 hours for the payment of outstanding arrears, including the accoutrement allowance, to doctors and other healthcare workers across the country, The Guardian reports.

According to The Guardian, Dr Muhammad Suleiman - President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors - addressed journalists, telling them that the government owes approximately 50,000 health workers, including doctors across the nation, around N38 billion in salary arrears, excluding allowances.

Resident doctors reportedly began an indefinite nationwide strike on November 1 and ordered 11,000 members in federal and state-owned health facilities to withdraw services.

In a statement signed by Alaba Balogun - the Deputy Director and Head, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare - the government stated that the move is part of ongoing efforts to resolve welfare concerns raised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors and other unions, and to reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to industrial peace and reform in the health sector.

According to the statement, the decision was reached during a high-level meeting led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, between the top management of the ministry and the leadership of NARD, in the wake of the association’s recent agitations over welfare and professional concerns.

It reportedly noted that the government remains committed to ensuring that the welfare, motivation, and stability of the nation’s health workforce serve as the foundation of all health policies and programmes.

The statement reads, “In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare commenced the payment of seven months’ arrears of the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure to all categories of health workers, with N10bn paid in August 2025.

“Following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for these arrears owed to health workers, including members of NARD, to be paid expeditiously, as of Thursday, October 30, another sum of N21.3bn has been moved to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System account, and payment has commenced.

“In addition, the sum of N11.995bn is being processed for release within 72 hours to pay other arrears, including accoutrement allowance. All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in accordance with the salary structure in the health sector. Additionally, the Federal Government has released N10.6bn as of September 2025 as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, paid exclusively to resident doctors nationwide,” it said.

The ministry reportedly attributed the delays in payment and promotions to administrative processes within the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) then assured that engagements are ongoing with relevant agencies to fast-track resolutions.

It clarified that issues concerning special pension benefits fall under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and added that a joint committee had been constituted to resolve the matter in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

The statement continued, “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reiterates that these interventions reflect the Federal Government’s unalloyed resolve to safeguard the rights and welfare of health workers, ensure industrial harmony, and uphold the uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services to Nigerians. Our health workforce is the bedrock of Nigeria’s healthcare reform. Every policy, investment, and strategy we implement under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative is anchored on their well-being, motivation, and professional fulfilment.” 

Source: The Guardian

(Quotes via original reporting)

On November 1, in Nigeria, the Federal Government pledged to release N11.995 billion within 72 hours for the payment of outstanding arrears, including the accoutrement allowance, to doctors and other healthcare workers across the country, The Guardian reports.

According to The Guardian, Dr Muhammad Suleiman - President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors - addressed journalists, telling them that the government owes approximately 50,000 health workers, including doctors across the nation, around N38 billion in salary arrears, excluding allowances.

Resident doctors reportedly began an indefinite nationwide strike on November 1 and ordered 11,000 members in federal and state-owned health facilities to withdraw services.

In a statement signed by Alaba Balogun - the Deputy Director and Head, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare - the government stated that the move is part of ongoing efforts to resolve welfare concerns raised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors and other unions, and to reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to industrial peace and reform in the health sector.

According to the statement, the decision was reached during a high-level meeting led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, between the top management of the ministry and the leadership of NARD, in the wake of the association’s recent agitations over welfare and professional concerns.

It reportedly noted that the government remains committed to ensuring that the welfare, motivation, and stability of the nation’s health workforce serve as the foundation of all health policies and programmes.

The statement reads, “In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare commenced the payment of seven months’ arrears of the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure to all categories of health workers, with N10bn paid in August 2025.

“Following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for these arrears owed to health workers, including members of NARD, to be paid expeditiously, as of Thursday, October 30, another sum of N21.3bn has been moved to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System account, and payment has commenced.

“In addition, the sum of N11.995bn is being processed for release within 72 hours to pay other arrears, including accoutrement allowance. All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in accordance with the salary structure in the health sector. Additionally, the Federal Government has released N10.6bn as of September 2025 as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, paid exclusively to resident doctors nationwide,” it said.

The ministry reportedly attributed the delays in payment and promotions to administrative processes within the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) then assured that engagements are ongoing with relevant agencies to fast-track resolutions.

It clarified that issues concerning special pension benefits fall under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and added that a joint committee had been constituted to resolve the matter in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

The statement continued, “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reiterates that these interventions reflect the Federal Government’s unalloyed resolve to safeguard the rights and welfare of health workers, ensure industrial harmony, and uphold the uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services to Nigerians. Our health workforce is the bedrock of Nigeria’s healthcare reform. Every policy, investment, and strategy we implement under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative is anchored on their well-being, motivation, and professional fulfilment.” 

Source: The Guardian

(Quotes via original reporting)