Daud Olatunji
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has rejected in strong terms the recent circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) reviewing allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service.
The controversial circular, dated June 27, 2025, with reference number SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646, was described by NARD as “obnoxious, preposterous, and a slap in the face of Nigerian doctors” who are already grappling with harsh working conditions and a broken health system.
In a statement jointly signed by the association’s President, Dr. Osundara Tope, and Secretary-General, Dr. Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola, NARD said the circular failed to reflect economic realities or address the worsening health workforce crisis in the country.
“This circular is a clear display of insensitivity and disrespect for the sacrifices made by Nigerian doctors who continue to work in overstretched and under-resourced hospitals,” the statement read.
NARD accused the NSIWC of unilaterally developing a “chaotic and unproductive” allowance structure without stakeholder engagement, transparency, or adherence to the collective bargaining agreement signed in 2009.
According to the association, the new allowance structure offers neither competitive remuneration nor incentives to halt the mass exodus of health workers from Nigeria, a phenomenon that has crippled the country’s already fragile health sector.
“Nigeria is facing an alarming shortage of healthcare personnel due to poor welfare packages, unbearable workloads, burnout, and mental fatigue.
“Rather than address these systemic issues, the Federal Government, through NSIWC, has chosen to issue a circular that completely ignores the realities on ground,” NARD stated.
The association noted that the revised allowance structure fails to consider the pressing “push and pull” factors driving health worker migration, and warned that the consequences of neglecting these issues will continue to endanger public health.
In response, NARD is demanding the immediate adoption of a revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) as already submitted to the Federal Ministry of Health. The association also insists on the full implementation of specialist allowances for all medical doctors.
Furthermore, NARD expressed solidarity with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and called for the formation of a new negotiation team that will respect the principles of the existing collective bargaining agreement.
“The time has come for the government to stop paying lip service to the welfare of health workers. What we need is action, not another empty circular,” the group stated.
The rejection by NARD adds to the growing tension between medical professionals and the Federal Government over poor remuneration and worsening conditions in Nigeria’s health sector.
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