As a 21-day deadline given to the Federal Government ends on July 23, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has warned that it will stop medical services across the country if the government does not meet its demands.
The President of the NMA, Professor Bala Audu, confirmed this in an interview on Sunday. He said the group is ready to take strong action if the government does not respond properly.
Audu explained that the NMA’s demands are important for saving Nigeria’s healthcare system and for protecting the well-being of doctors and other medical professionals.
On July 2, the NMA gave the government a 21-day warning after a new circular was released by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. This circular changed allowances for medical and dental officers, but the doctors were unhappy because it went against previous agreements.
The NMA asked the government to cancel the circular and meet other demands to avoid a nationwide strike in the health sector.
“We have stated our position clearly. The deadline ends on July 23. If the government does not act, we may have to go on strike,” Audu said.
He added that the circular includes things that were never agreed upon and that hurt doctors’ pay and welfare.“We completely reject this circular. Any new policy affecting our members should be discussed and agreed upon, not forced on us,” he added.
Audu said the NMA has been in talks with the government to avoid a crisis.“The last meeting happened two weeks ago.
Several top officials attended, including the Health Minister, Professor Muhammad Pate, and other health and labor officials. I was also at the meeting,” he said.“
“The minister thanked us and discussed the NMA’s demands. He suggested we meet again, and another meeting was planned for last week. But because of the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, it had to be postponed.”
He added that the next meeting should include the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (which issued the circular), the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Health.
The NMA president warned that time is short, and unless the next meeting happens soon, the association may have no choice but to strike.
“We hope the government will meet us again after the funeral events, hopefully by Monday. If not, the deadline still stands, and a strike may happen,” he warned.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State branch of the NMA also strongly criticized the circular in a statement after a recent meeting.
The meeting, held in Katsina on Saturday, stated that the NMA in Katsina rejects the circular dated June 27, 2025, and wants the government to cancel it and meet all of the association’s demands.
The statement was signed by Dr. Muhammadu Sani, the chairman, and Dr. Yahya Salisu, the secretary of the Katsina NMA.
They warned that if the government does not act, they cannot promise that medical services in the state will continue without disruption.
