The Kwara State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has rejected the recent review of allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), describing it as unjust and counterproductive.
Chairman of the association, Prof. AbdulRahman Afolabi, made this known on Monday during a press briefing in Ilorin.
“The NMA Kwara State branch strongly condemns and rejects the NSIWC circular dated June 27, 2025, regarding the review of allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service,” he said.
He expressed full support for the 21-day ultimatum issued by the national body of the NMA to the federal government to address all outstanding welfare issues affecting doctors across the country.
Afolabi criticised the NSIWC’s circular for what he described as an attempt to adjust the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which, in his view, “inadvertently or perhaps deliberately erodes relativity.”
He warned that the changes risk worsening workforce inequity and destabilising the already fragile healthcare system in Nigeria.
He further expressed disappointment that the NSIWC appeared to have ignored collective bargaining agreements reached with the NMA in 2001, 2009, and 2014.
According to him, the decision could severely impact morale, productivity, and accelerate the ongoing brain drain of Nigerian medical professionals.
“The current doctor-to-patient ratio stands at 1:5,000, far below the World Health Organisation’s recommended ratio of 1:600. Any policy that worsens the working conditions of doctors will only make this worse,” Afolabi said.
He added that the development could trigger industrial unrest at a time when the country needs health sector stability.
Reaffirming the state chapter’s support for the national body’s stance, Afolabi called for the immediate suspension of the circular and the convening of a stakeholders’ roundtable to restore relativity in line with prior agreements.
He also urged the federal government to declare a national health manpower emergency and to create an independent Salary and Welfare Commission for healthcare professionals, free from political interference.
Among other demands, Afolabi called for the immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), a review of the MRTF to reflect economic realities, and approval of specialist and excess workload allowances for all doctors.
