The Federal Government has approved the release of ₦11.9 billion within the next 72 hours to offset part of the wage arrears owed to medical doctors and other health workers across the country, following the indefinite strike declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The payment directive, issued by President Bola Tinubu, comes amid nationwide disruption of medical services as resident doctors down tools over what they described as government’s persistent failure to fulfil promises on welfare and salary arrears.
In a statement on Saturday, the Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Alaba Balogun, confirmed the approval, saying the intervention forms part of wider efforts to end the strike and stabilise the health sector.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expedited payment of arrears owed to health workers, including resident doctors. Within 72 hours, ₦11.995 billion will be released for the settlement of outstanding allowances, including accoutrement allowance,” Balogun said.
According to him, government had earlier disbursed ₦10 billion in August 2025 to begin payment of seven-month arrears arising from the 25%–35% salary adjustment for health workers.
He added that an additional ₦21.3 billion has been transferred to the IPPIS platform and payment already commenced as of October 30.
Balogun also disclosed that the Federal Government has fully released ₦10.6 billion for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
To cushion the effects of massive brain drain and reduce workload on remaining medical personnel, the Federal Government said over 20,000 health workers had already been recruited across 58 federal hospitals, with plans to engage another 15,000 in 2025.
“This recruitment drive is part of a strategy to ensure our hospitals are adequately staffed to deliver quality healthcare services,” Balogun noted.
The ministry also announced the engagement of Prof. Dafe Otobo, a renowned industrial relations expert, to drive fresh negotiations between government and health unions, including NARD, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
Meetings with union leaders reportedly began on October 24, with the aim of achieving a comprehensive agreement on issues such as specialist allowances, salary relativity, and consultant cadre appointments.
The ongoing strike has disrupted services in federal and teaching hospitals across the country, with patients reportedly turned back or made to pay high private hospital bills.
NARD insists that until all outstanding payments and agreements are fulfilled, the strike will continue.
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