The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Mannir Bature, has cautioned the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to tread carefully in their public statements, particularly on sensitive labour-related matters.
He urged both labour centres to show restraint in discussing salary structures, warning that inaccurate or poorly framed communication could mislead workers and the wider public.
Dr Bature made the call during a press conference in Gusau, Zamfara State, where he also appealed to the Federal Government to stay committed to the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement process, describing it as the lawful and structured avenue for resolving issues around remuneration, welfare and industrial relations in the health sector.
According to him, the CBA process provides an opportunity for comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable outcomes, with all critical stakeholders properly represented.
He further stressed the need for the government to urgently rationalise the health workforce with a focus on efficiency and service delivery.
“Greater policy attention should be directed towards retaining, strengthening and incentivising frontline clinical workers, particularly doctors and nurses, who bear primary responsibility for direct patient care and clinical decision-making,” Dr Bature said.
He added that many ancillary and support roles, which fall outside core clinical responsibilities, could be handled more effectively through outsourcing.
“A significant proportion of ancillary and support services, many of which fall outside core clinical functions, can be more efficiently provided through structured outsourcing arrangements. Such an approach would reduce redundancy, optimise limited resources, improve value for money, and ultimately enhance the quality and responsiveness of healthcare services delivered to Nigerians.”
Dr Bature argued that recent interventions by the NLC and TUC were based on fragmented and selective narratives, often influenced by pressure rather than established procedures, noting that such approaches would not guarantee long-term industrial harmony.
“What the health sector requires is comprehensive engagement, good-faith negotiations, respect for existing agreements, and adherence to clearly defined professional roles and responsibilities.
“The Nigerian Medical Association reaffirms its commitment to constructive dialogue, transparency and inter-professional harmony. We will continue to engage responsibly with government and labour institutions in the overall interest of healthcare workers and the Nigerian people.”
He also dismissed claims that the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) had been upgraded, describing such assertions as false. “What occurred was a correction of a long-standing error and distortion in the application of the CONMESS framework, which had persisted despite clear approvals and established public service guidelines.”
According to him, the adjustment merely restored CONMESS to its previously approved status. “By every objective, technical and administrative definition, a correction of an anomaly does not amount to an upgrade. The attempt to portray this correction as preferential treatment is therefore misleading and inaccurate, and risks creating unnecessary tension within the health sector.”
Dr Bature warned that such narratives could deepen avoidable inter-professional conflict at a time when collaboration is crucial to tackling Nigeria’s persistent healthcare challenges.
“The NMA is particularly concerned about the adversarial tone and issuance of public ultimatums on a matter that requires careful verification, technical understanding and institutional engagement.”
