The Nigerian Federal Government has announced that it will release approximately N11.995 billion within 72 hours to settle outstanding arrears, including accoutrement allowances, owed to doctors and other health workers nationwide. This initiative responds to welfare concerns raised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and other unions, reaffirming the government’s commitment to industrial peace and health‑sector reform.
According to a statement from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the decision follows a high‑level meeting between the ministry’s top management and NARD’s leadership. The meeting, chaired by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, was convened in response to recent agitations over unpaid arrears, delayed allowances, and other welfare‑related issues.
The development comes after a nationwide strike involving about 11,000 resident doctors across 91 health facilities. The striking doctors have been protesting unpaid arrears, delayed allowances, and related concerns despite earlier government assurances. NARD President Dr Muhammad Suleiman estimates that the Federal Government owes doctors and other health workers roughly N38 billion in accumulated allowances.
In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has begun paying seven months’ arrears of the 25‑35 percent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure to all categories of health workers. A sum of N10 billion was paid in August 2025, and another N21.3 billion has been transferred to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System account, with payments commencing on 30 October. The additional N11.995 billion being processed for release within 72 hours will cover other arrears, including accoutrement allowances.
The government has also released N10.6 billion as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, paid exclusively to resident doctors nationwide. These payments align with the health‑sector salary structure and are being received by NARD members. Addressing the welfare concerns of health workers is essential for maintaining industrial peace and advancing reform in the health sector.
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