The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has accused the Federal Government of lacking the political will to implement agreements reached with doctors, warning that continued delays could worsen the migration of health workers abroad.
The NMA President, Dr Ernest Omoti, said this at the end of the association’s Annual General Conference and Delegates Meeting organised in Kano under the theme “Dabon 2026.”
“We are concerned that the Federal Government does not have the strong political will to back its collective bargaining agreement,” Dr. said.
He noted that the association had engaged the government for the past six months without progress.
“We have been talking with the government for six months on this matter, yet we have not achieved anything. If there was seriousness, we should have reached an agreement three months ago,” he added.
Dr Omoti warned that poor remuneration, difficult working conditions and insecurity are pushing Nigerian doctors to other countries.
“The key factors attracting doctors abroad are better pay, better working conditions and safer environments. No doctor in this country deserves to be underpaid, overtaxed, overworked and placed in unsafe, unhealthy and poorly equipped workplaces. The time to change this narrative is now,” he said.
He urged both federal and state governments to urgently address the growing brain drain in the health sector.
The association’s National Executive Council (NEC) also called for the full implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) across all government agencies.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Minister of Labour, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, the NMA insisted on fairness in implementation.
“We appreciate the efforts made so far, but we insist on maintaining relativity and ensuring the universal application of CONMESS for doctors across all MDAs,” the NEC stated.
The council also appealed for tax relief for doctors.
The NMA further raised concerns over a recent court ruling involving the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC).
On regulation, the NMA urged the Federal Government to constitute the board of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
“This prolonged delay is already affecting the quality of healthcare in the country,” it added.
The association also condemned the harassment of health workers.
It urged security agencies to exercise restraint when dealing with issues in hospitals.
“Matters involving patients should be handled by the NMA or the MDCN. The time to end harassment of health workers is now,” it added.
Meanwhile, the association announced the election of new national officers to lead its affairs for the 2026–2028 term.
Dr Omoti was elected President, alongside Bapiga’an William Audu as First Vice President and Okwara Emmanuel Chidiebere as Second Vice President.
Others elected include Tamunokuro Ezekiel Diamond as Secretary-General, Laguhyel Boniface Gundiri as Deputy Secretary-General, and Mohammad Sani Abubakar as Treasurer.
Also elected were Abayomi Oluseye Olajide as Financial Secretary, Olayinka Atinola as Publicity Secretary, and Anas Ismail as Editor-in-Chief, while Bala Mohammed Audu and Benjamin Egbo will serve as Immediate Past President and Immediate Past Secretary-General, respectively.
