In a bid to defuse growing unrest in the health sector, the Federal Government has suspended the implementation of three circulars that revised allowances for medical, dental, and other health professionals. The decision was reached during a high-level meeting on Monday, July 21, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, who also heads the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS).
A memo signed by Ekpo U. O. Nta, Esq., Chairman/CEO of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), confirmed the suspension of circulars SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646, SWC/S/04/S.218/III/651 (both dated June 27, 2025), and SWC/S/04/S.410/VII/658 (dated June 30, 2025).
The circulars will remain suspended to allow for “further consultation with various professional associations and unions in the health and education sectors,” the memo stated.
The suspension applies across federal ministries, commissions, parastatals, and government-owned enterprises. Key officials—including ministers, permanent secretaries, directors-general, and heads of agencies—were all copied in the directive.This move reflects the government’s attempt to recalibrate its approach to compensation reforms following backlash from health professionals.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has been at the forefront of opposition to the circulars. On July 2, the association issued a 21-day ultimatum demanding their withdrawal and the fulfillment of other welfare-related conditions.
NMA President, Prof. Audu Bala, criticized the circulars for containing provisions that were not mutually agreed upon, describing them as detrimental to the welfare and remuneration of medical professionals
Earlier on Monday, the NMA reiterated its warning: if the government fails to meet its demands by July 23, medical services across the country could be shut down.
“We have made our position clear. The ultimatum ends on July 23, and if the Federal Government does not address our demands, we may have no choice but to proceed with a strike,” Prof. Bala stated.
The suspension signals a possible shift toward dialogue and consensus-building. However, with the NMA’s ultimatum nearing expiration, the government faces a critical deadline to avert a nationwide medical shutdown.
Credit: Nairametrics .
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