The Federal Government has announced plans to release N11.9 billion within 72 hours to settle part of the salary and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals.
Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Alaba Balogun, who confirmed this in a statement, said President Bola Tinubu has directed expedited payment of arrears to health workers.
The announcement comes hours after the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) began an indefinite strike over what it described as the government’s failure to meet its demands.
He said the government had earlier released N10 billion in August to begin payment of seven months’ arrears arising from the 25–35 percent salary review for health workers.
“In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare commenced the payment of seven months’ arrears of the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure to all categories of health workers, with N10bn paid in August 2025.
“Following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for these arrears owed to health workers, including members of NARD, to be paid expeditiously, as of Thursday, October 30, another sum of N21.3bn has been moved to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System account, and payment has commenced.
“In addition, the sum of N11.995bn is being processed for release within 72 hours to pay other arrears, including accoutrement allowance. All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in accordance with the salary structure in the health sector. Additionally, the Federal Government has released N10.6bn as of September 2025 as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, paid exclusively to resident doctors nationwide,” it stated.
To address the strain caused by brain drain and prolonged working hours, the ministry disclosed that the Federal Government had granted special waivers for the massive recruitment of healthcare professionals across federal tertiary institutions.
He noted that over 20,000 health workers have been employed across 58 federal institutions, with another 15,000 approved for 2025.
Balogun further revealed that N10.6 billion had been disbursed for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), while negotiations continue with health unions to resolve outstanding issues.
“Additionally, the Federal Government has released N10.6 billion as at September 2025 as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) paid exclusively to resident doctors nationwide,” the statement read.
Balogun said, “The collective bargaining discussions are ongoing with the Nigerian Medical Association, where NARD is an affiliate, the Joint Health Sector Unions, and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.
“To deepen dialogue and proffer solutions to controversial issues that arose in the course of the CBA, the Ministry has engaged a professional negotiator who is a Professor of Industrial Relations, Prof. Dafe Otobo, to facilitate further constructive engagements between government and union leaders, with the active involvement of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“Discussions are progressing on all the points raised by the health unions, including NARD, an affiliate of NMA. Such issues include specialist and other allowances, salary relativity, appointment of consultant cadre in our hospitals, and other welfare-related issues. The Ministry of Labour and Productivity has expressed its readiness to conclude the collective bargaining process once consensus is reached.”