With the 21-day ultimatum set to expire on July 23, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has warned of a nationwide shutdown of medical services if the Federal Government fails to address its demands.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Sunday, NMA President, Professor Bala Audu, confirmed that the association is prepared to take decisive action should the government continue to ignore their concerns.
Prof Audu emphasised that the NMA’s demands are crucial to the survival of the country’s healthcare system and the well-being of medical professionals nationwide.
The ultimatum, issued on July 2, was in response to a controversial circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which outlined revised allowances for medical and dental officers in federal service. The association rejected the circular, stating that it breached prior agreements with the government.
The NMA has called on the Federal Government to withdraw the circular and meet all outstanding demands to prevent industrial action in the health sector.
“We have made our position clear. The ultimatum ends on July 23, and if the Federal Government does not address our demands, we may have no choice but to proceed with a strike,” he said.
According to him, the circular contains provisions that were not mutually agreed upon and which undermine the remuneration and welfare of medical professionals.
We have rejected that circular outright. We expect that any new directive affecting our members should be the outcome of mutual consultation, not something imposed,” he stated.
Prof Audu disclosed that the NMA had been engaging with the Federal Government to avert a crisis.
“The last meeting happened two weeks ago and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate; the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako; the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Hospital Services, and the representative of minister of labour were at the meeting, and some affiliate of the NMA were present, and I was part of that meeting as well.
The minister appreciated us, then he spoke about the issues as contained in the list of demands from the NMA.
“However, he felt that we should go for a further meeting, and another meeting was slated for last week, unfortunately, in the week, we lost the former President Muhammadu Buhari, so the meeting couldn’t be held.
“However, the next meeting is supposed to happen between us, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which issued a circular that we feel is obnoxious, and we have rejected it. We would also meet with the Ministry of Finance and representatives from the Ministry of Health,” he added.
The President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof Bala Audu, has raised alarm over the dwindling timeline for dialogue with the Federal Government, warning that unless urgent steps are taken within the next few days, the association may be left with no option but to embark on industrial action.
“We expect that after the funeral ceremonies, government stakeholders will reconvene with us, hopefully by Monday. Otherwise, the 21-day ultimatum still stands,” he said.
“If the government fails to prioritise this matter, a strike may be inevitable,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State branch of the NMA has expressed strong disapproval of the circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), describing it as unacceptable.
In a communiqué released after its State Executive Council meeting held on Saturday in Katsina, the branch condemned the circular (Ref: SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646), dated June 27, 2025, which proposed a review of allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service.
The communiqué, signed by the state NMA Chairman, Dr Muhammadu Sani, and Secretary, Dr Yahya Salisu, rejected the circular outright and called for its immediate withdrawal. It also demanded full implementation of all previously agreed terms with the government.
The association warned that it could no longer guarantee uninterrupted health services if the government failed to act swiftly to meet its demands.
