Nigerian Doctors Issue Tinubu 21-Day Ultimatum

Barely hours after President Bola Tinubu announced the deployment of Nigerian doctors and teachers to Saint Lucia, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over a controversial salary circular that could trigger a nationwide strike if not addressed.

The NMA, through its President Professor Bala Audu, expressed outrage over a new circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), dated June 27, 2025 (Reference No. SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646), which proposes a revised structure for the allowances of medical and dental officers in the Federal Public Service.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Professor Audu described the circular as a violation of multiple agreements previously signed between the government and medical professionals.

“The circular is grossly inadequate and undermines years of collective bargaining. If the government fails to act, we will be left with no choice but to withdraw our services after 21 days,” he warned.

NMA Rejects New Wage Terms, Lists Stringent Demands

The NMA’s rejection of the circular is based on its perceived failure to honour earlier agreements reached in 2001, 2009, and 2014.

The association has now placed a list of demands on the government, including:

Immediate withdrawal of the NSIWC circular

Correction of all consequential salary adjustments

Full payment of outstanding 25/35% CONMESS entitlements

Release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund

Issuance of circulars for clinical duty and honorary consultants’ allowances

Implementation of scarce skills, excess workload, and specialist allowances

Enforcement of the 2021 hazard allowance agreement

Uniform adoption of CONMESS across all federal and state MDAs

Audu noted that the association had made multiple attempts to engage with the government on the issue but had been met with bureaucratic neglect and unilateral decision-making.

A Timing That Raises Eyebrows

What’s particularly striking is the timing of the threat.

Nust hours before the NMA’s announcement, President Tinubu had proudly disclosed plans to deploy skilled Nigerian doctors and teachers to Saint Lucia, promising that their salaries would be paid by the Nigerian government for two years.

The move, widely viewed as part of a soft diplomacy initiative, has drawn backlash from critics and health professionals alike, especially in light of the unresolved domestic crisis in Nigeria’s health sector.

“You want to export doctors abroad and pay them while those at home are working under strained conditions without fair compensation? It’s insulting,” said a senior doctor who asked not to be named.

With the ongoing brain drain already hollowing out the Nigerian health workforce, medical experts fear that the government’s inaction could lead to a catastrophic breakdown in healthcare delivery

Health Services at Risk

If the government fails to address the NMA’s demands within the stipulated period, doctors across Nigeria may withdraw their services, grinding medical activities to a halt in both federal and state health institutions.

With no resolution in sight yet, the clock is ticking and Nigerians may once again be caught in the crossfire of another avoidable healthcare crisis.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook