The Nigerian Federal Government has announced plans to release approximately N11.995 billion within 72 hours to settle outstanding arrears, including accoutrement allowance, owed to doctors and other health workers nationwide. This move aims to address the welfare concerns raised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and other unions, reaffirming the government’s commitment to industrial peace and reform in the health sector.
According to a statement by 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 was led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, in response to the association’s recent agitations over unpaid arrears, delayed allowances, and other welfare-related issues.
The development comes on the heels of a nationwide strike involving approximately 11,000 resident doctors across 91 healthcare facilities. The striking doctors are protesting unpaid arrears, delays in allowances, and other welfare-related issues, despite earlier assurances from the government. The President of NARD, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, estimates that the Federal Government owes doctors and other health workers around N38 billion in accumulated allowances.
The government has emphasized its commitment to ensuring the welfare, motivation, and stability of the nation’s health workforce. In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has commenced payment of 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 moved to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System account, with payment commenced as of October 30.
The additional sum of N11.995 billion being processed for release within 72 hours will cover other arrears, including accoutrement allowance. 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 are in line with the salary structure in the health sector and are being enjoyed by NARD members. The government’s efforts to address the welfare concerns of health workers are crucial to maintaining industrial peace and reform in the health sector.
