Nigerian Doctors To Launch Nationwide Strike On Thursday Over Pay And Welfare Issues.
Medical doctors across Nigeria, under the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), are set to begin an indefinite nationwide strike on Thursday, 24 July 2025, as a 21-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government nears its end. The strike, announced following an emergency meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, is in response to unresolved grievances over poor pay, inadequate welfare, and a controversial circular on allowances issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
The NMA, led by President Prof. Bala Audu, has accused the government of failing to honour collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) from 2001, 2009, and 2014, particularly regarding salary structures and allowances. Dr Aniekan Imo Peter, Chairman of the NMA Akwa Ibom branch, highlighted the dire situation, stating that Nigerian doctors earn an average of N300,000 monthly, among the lowest globally, pushing many to seek better opportunities in countries like Ghana, Togo, and Cameroon. He described the situation as “a shame,” noting that the government’s neglect has driven a significant brain drain, with only 55,000 of Nigeria’s 85,000 registered doctors remaining in the country.
The doctors are demanding a 300% pay rise, immediate payment of outstanding allowances, including 25–35% of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and the withdrawal of the NSIWC circular dated 27 June 2025, which they deem “insulting” and a breach of prior agreements. The circular, which revised allowances for medical and dental officers, was issued without consultation, further fuelling discontent. The NMA also calls for the full payment and review of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund to reflect economic realities, as well as improved working conditions to stem the loss of medical professionals.
Dr Ifedayo Oreyemi, Ekiti State NMA Chairman, warned that 2,000 doctors leave Nigeria annually due to poor conditions, a trend that could worsen without urgent action. In the South-West, the NMA caucus, including Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, and Ondo branches, has echoed these concerns, criticising the government for ignoring the severe shortage of doctors, with a ratio of one doctor to 10,000 patients.
The strike is expected to disrupt healthcare services significantly, with government hospitals likely to prioritise emergency care only. Patients may face delays or be turned away, as seen in past strikes, exacerbating Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system amid outbreaks of cholera, dengue fever, and mpox. The NMA has urged the government to engage in meaningful dialogue before Thursday to avert the action, warning that failure to act could lead to a “total shutdown” of the healthcare system.
As tensions rise, the public is braced for the impact, with many expressing frustration over the recurring strikes. The government’s response in the coming days will be crucial in determining whether Nigeria’s already strained health sector can avoid further crisis.
