The Federal Government has announced plans to release N11.995 billion within the next 72 hours to settle outstanding arrears owed to doctors and other health workers nationwide.
This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun.
According to the ministry, the payment is part of ongoing efforts to resolve welfare concerns raised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors and other unions amid a strike involving about 11,000 resident doctors across 91 health facilities.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, who led a high-level negotiation meeting with NARD leadership on Saturday, said the government is committed to restoring industrial harmony in the sector.
“The Federal Government remains committed to addressing all welfare-related issues affecting health workers,” the statement quoted Salako as saying.
“The sum of N11.995bn is being processed for release within 72 hours to cover other arrears, including accoutrement allowance.”
The ministry explained that payment of seven months’ arrears of the revised CONMESS and CONHESS structures had already commenced, adding that N10bn was disbursed in August 2025, while N21.3bn was recently transferred to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System for payment processing.
It also disclosed that N10.6bn had been released for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, which covers resident doctors nationwide.
To address the strain caused by workforce shortages, the Federal Government said it has granted special recruitment waivers. Over 20,000 doctors, nurses, and other health workers were recruited across 58 federal health institutions in 2024, with recruitment for 2025 underway.
“Our health workforce remains the backbone of healthcare reform,” the statement noted.
“Every policy and investment is focused on ensuring their motivation and professional fulfilment.”
The ministry added that ongoing collective bargaining discussions with the Nigerian Medical Association, JOHESU, and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives are being facilitated by industrial relations expert, Prof. Dafe Otobo, to ensure lasting resolutions.
On disciplinary matters at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, the government said three of the dismissed doctors will be reabsorbed, while cases of two others will undergo further review.
The ministry also clarified that recent re-categorisation of certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria was a regulatory adjustment that is being reviewed in consultation with stakeholders.
