By Muhammad Amaan
The Federal Government of Nigeria said that it will carry out a massive recruitment, clear payment arrears, and prioritise health workforce wellbeing.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja and signed by the Deputy Director and Head, Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun.
According to the ministry, the move is part of ongoing efforts to resolve welfare concerns raised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors and other unions and to reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to industrial peace and reform in the health sector.
The federal government also reaffirmed its commitment to improving the working conditions of resident doctors and to a general overhaul of the health sector.
The statement reads, “Massive Recruitment, Payment of Arrears, and Reforms Underway as Government Prioritises Health Workforce Wellbeing as the Bedrock of System Strengthening.”
The statement noted that the government remains committed to ensuring that the welfare, motivation, and stability of the nation’s health workforce serve as the foundation of all health policies and programmes.
“In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare commenced the payment of seven months’ arrears of the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure to all categories of health workers, with N10bn paid in August 2025.
“Following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for these arrears owed to health workers, including members of NARD, to be paid expeditiously, as of Thursday, October 30, another sum of N21.3bn has been moved to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System account, and payment has commenced.
“In addition, the sum of N11.995bn is being processed for release within 72 hours to pay other arrears, including accoutrement allowance. All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in accordance with the salary structure in the health sector. Additionally, the Federal Government has released N10.6bn as of September 2025 as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, paid exclusively to resident doctors nationwide,” it stated.
To address the strain caused by brain drain and prolonged working hours, the ministry disclosed that the Federal Government had granted special waivers for the massive recruitment of healthcare professionals across federal tertiary institutions.
It stated that over 20,000 health workers, including doctors, nurses, and allied professionals, were recruited across 58 federal health institutions in 2024, while recruitment for 2025 is ongoing, with 15,000 health workers already approved for employment.
According to the statement, the recruitment drive is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s health facilities are adequately staffed, safe, and equipped to deliver quality care to citizens.
It added, “The Federal Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to ensuring industrial peace, harmony, and sustained reform in Nigeria’s health sector, emphasizing that the welfare, motivation, and stability of the nation’s health workforce remain the foundation upon which all health policies, strategies, and actions are built.”
