Nard refuses the Circular of FG on the doctors’ allowances, requires the structure of Conmessa magazine

Daud Olatunji

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (Nard) rejected the recent circular in strong terms issued by national salaries, income and wages (NSIWC) for revision of the allowances for medical and dental officials in the federal public service.

The controversial circular, dated 27 June 2025, with reference number of SWC/s/s/04/S.218/III/646, was described by Nard as “hateful, absurd and a slap in front of the Nigerian doctors” who are already struggling with hard working conditions and a broken health system.

In a declaration jointly signed by the President of the Association, Dr. Osundara Tope, and the Secretary General, Dr. Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola, Nard said that the circular did not reflect on economic realities or deals with the worsening of the health workforce crisis in the country.

“This circular is a clear performance of insensitivity and lack of respect for the sacrifices made by the Nigerian doctors who continue to work in excessive and insufficient hospitals,” reads the note.

Nard has accused NSIWC of unilaterally developed a chaotic and unproductive allowance structure without obligation, transparency or adherence to the collective bargaining agreement signed in 2009.

According to the Association, the new allowance structure does not offer competitive remuneration or incentives to stop the mass exodus of healthcare professionals from Nigeria, a phenomenon that paralyzed the already fragile health sector of the country.

“Nigeria is facing an alarming deficiency of health personnel due to poor welfare packages, unbearable workloads, burnout and mental fatigue.

“Rather than addressing these systemic issues, the Federal Government, through NSIWC, has chosen to issue a circular that completely ignore the realities on the ground,” said Nard.

The Association observed that the structure of the magazine allowances did not consider the urgent factors of “push and pull” that guide the migration of health workers and has warned that the consequences of the neglect of these problems will continue to endanger public health.

In response, Nard asks for the immediate adoption of a consolidated medical salary structure (Conmess) magazine as already presented to the Federal Health Ministry. The Association also insists on the full implementation of specialized allowances for all doctors.

In addition, Nard expressed solidarity with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and asked for the formation of a new negotiation team that will respect the principles of the existing collective bargaining agreement.

“The time has come for the government to stop paying the lip service to the well -being of health workers. What we need is the action, not another empty circular,” said the group.

Nard’s refusal increases the growing tension between medical professionals and the federal government for poor remuneration and worsening of the conditions in the health sector of Nigeria.

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