The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara State chapter, has firmly rejected the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC)’s recently released circular on the review of allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service.

The association described the review as flawed, inequitable, and detrimental to the nation’s healthcare system.

At a press briefing held in Ilorin, the state capital, the state chairman of the NMA, Professor AbdulRahman Afolabi, voiced strong opposition to the NSIWC circular dated June 27, 2025.

He declared that the document, which was purportedly aimed at adjusting the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), has instead undermined long-standing salary relativity agreements.

“The NMA Kwara State branch strongly condemns and outrightly rejects the NSIWC circular,” Afolabi said.

“We also fully support the 21-day ultimatum already issued by our national body to the Federal Government, demanding urgent resolution of all outstanding welfare issues affecting medical doctors in Nigeria.”

Professor Afolabi explained that the circular, though framed as a review of allowances, effectively erodes the relativity principle — a structure that ensures fair salary progression based on responsibility, clinical risk, and years of training.

He warned that tampering with this relativity without stakeholder engagement would deepen inequities within the health workforce.

He expressed disappointment at the NSIWC’s unilateral decision to sidestep prior collective bargaining agreements signed with the NMA in 2001, 2009, and 2014.

According to him, these agreements were reached after extensive consultations and were designed to maintain fairness and productivity across the medical profession.

Afolabi emphasized that this new policy risks triggering a wave of resignations and could severely damage the morale of medical personnel. “This circular has the potential to destabilize an already overstretched health system,” he warned.

“It could lead to massive brain drain, especially among doctors and dentists, further worsening Nigeria’s already alarming doctor-to-patient ratio, currently at 1:5,000 — far below the World Health Organisation’s recommended ratio of 1:600.”

He further cautioned that the decision could spark industrial disharmony and paralyze healthcare delivery at a time when the nation needs stability in its health sector the most.

Calling for urgent corrective action, Afolabi demanded the immediate suspension of the NSIWC circular pending a roundtable dialogue involving all relevant stakeholders.

He also called for the restoration of salary relativity in line with the established frameworks from previous reforms.

“We are standing solidly with the national body of the NMA in its rejection of the current implementation of CONMESS. There must be equity, fairness, and transparency in any reform concerning our remuneration,” he stressed.

Just days earlier, IREPORT247NEWS reported that the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association also issued a scathing rejection of the proposed federal salary structure.

Speaking to reporters, Dr. Babajide Saheed, Chairman of the Lagos NMA, described the federal proposal as professionally demoralizing and structurally flawed.

According to Saheed, the new pay system neglects the salary relativity principles that differentiate pay based on clinical responsibilities, years of experience, and inherent risks.

He echoed concerns that such a move threatens to dismantle the integrity of the profession and further weaken Nigeria’s fragile healthcare delivery system.

Lagos NMA Rejects FG’s Proposed Salary Structure for Doctors