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The Kwara State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has rejected the review of allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service by National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission’s (NSIWC).
The State NMA Chairman, Prof. AbdulRahman Afolabi expressed the association’s strong condemnation and rejection of the NSIWC circular dated June 27, 2025.
He stated that the review attempts to adjust the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) but inadvertently erodes relativity, worsens workforce inequity, and threatens the fragile medical workforce landscape in Nigeria.
The NMA Kwara State branch fully supports the 21-day ultimatum issued to the federal government to address all welfare issues affecting doctors in Nigeria.
Prof Afolabi warned that the NSIWC circular has the potential to undermine morale and productivity in the already overstretched health system, accelerate brain drain, and worsen the doctor-to-patient ratio.
The Chairman reiterated the association’s support for the national body’s rejection of the current CONMESS implementation.
He demanded the immediate suspension of the circular pending a stakeholder roundtable and called for the restoration of relativity in line with previous agreements.
Prof Afolabi appealed to the federal government to address all welfare issues affecting doctors in Nigeria, including immediate review and payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to reflect prevailing economic realities as well as approval of specialist and excess workload allowances for all doctors.
He also urged the government to declare a national health manpower emergency to address migration and workforce attrition and propose an independent Salary and Welfare Commission for healthcare professionals insulated from political manipulation.
By Muinat Usman
