July 21, (THEWILL) — Come Thursday, July 23, a 21-day ultimatum previously issued by the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, to the Federal Government will expire and the NMA will embark upon a strike that will most likely ground medical services nationwide, if the government fails to meet its demands.
From the look of it, it seems that the strike, which has over time become a regular event, is inevitable. According to news reports, NMA President, Prof Bala Audu, has said the association is prepared to take decisive action should the government fail to respond adequately to its demands.
In an interview to a major newspaper, Prof Audu said the NMA’s demands were critical to the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system, which is on the verge of total collapse at the moment, and the welfare of medical professionals across the country.
The NMA had on July 2, 2025 issued an ultimatum in protest against a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on revised allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service, which the doctors kicked against for violating prior agreements.
The association issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to withdraw the circular and meet its other demands to avert 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,” Audu said.
According to the NMA leader, 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 also disclosed that the NMA had been engaging with the Federal Government to avert a crisis. The last meeting between both parties held two weeks ago, with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, as well as others, in attendance.
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,” Prof Audu added.
The NMA president expressed concern that time was running out, adding that unless the meeting takes place before Thursday, July 23, the association may be left with no other choice than to go on strike.
“If the Federal Government fails to prioritise this matter, a strike may be inevitable,” he warned.
Similarly the Katsina State branch of the NMA, rising from a meeting of its State Executive Council, condemned the circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
In a communique released after the meeting, the association rejected the circular and demanded urgent government withdrawal action and fulfillment of all its demands.
The association warned that it could not guarantee non-disruption of health services if their demands were not met.
As always, whenever medical doctors and the Federal Government clash, the masses, like the proverbial grasses, suffer. On this note, we urge both parties to consider the possibly devastating effect of an industrial action by medical personnel on the masses and Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly at this critical stage in the country’s development.
