In a bid to avert a looming nationwide strike in the health sector, the Federal Government has assured medical doctors and other healthcare workers that their outstanding seven months’ salary arrears will be cleared before the end of August 2025.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, during a joint meeting in Abuja with leaders of major health unions.
The intervention comes in response to a 21-day ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), demanding that government address lingering welfare concerns or face a nationwide strike. Similarly, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) recently suspended a warning strike after stakeholder intervention.
To forestall further disruption, the Ministry of Health convened a high-level roundtable involving the NMA, NANNM, and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), alongside officials from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
Speaking after the meeting, Professor Pate reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to clearing the backlog, stressing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s determination to resolve systemic issues in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
In separate remarks, NMA President, Professor Bala Audu, and JOHESU National President, Comrade Kabiru Minjibir, expressed cautious optimism that the government would fulfil its pledge. They added that full implementation of the agreements reached could avert the impending strike and restore stability in the sector.