The Federal Government through National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) has suspended the move to review medical officers and dental officer’s allowances.
Recall that on July 2, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) gave the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of the circular and the resolution of other critical issues. The ultimatum is set to expire on Thursday, July 23.
President of the NMA, Prof. Bala Audu, had described the circular as a breach of previously agreed terms regarding the welfare and allowances of medical and dental officers.
He warned that the association would have no choice but to embark on industrial action if the government failed to act. “We have rejected that circular outrightly. We expect that any new directive affecting our members should result from mutual consultation, not unilateral imposition”, he said.
Confirming the development on Monday, the President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Tope Osundara, said the circular had been suspended to enable further dialogue with relevant stakeholders.
“Arising from the meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, in his capacity as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Salaries today, it was agreed that the implementation of the circular dated June 27, 2025, should be suspended to allow for further consultation with various professional associations,” Osundara stated.
“So, it has been suspended for further negotiations”, he added.
