The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has dismissed allegations by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that doctors benefited from an upgrade of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), describing the claims as misleading and capable of fuelling industrial tension in the nation’s health sector. Speaking to journalists in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, on Monday, the NMA’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Mannir Bature, emphasized that the narrative suggesting preferential treatment for doctors was inaccurate, stressing the importance of accurate communication amid ongoing industrial disputes. The association’s response comes in the wake of a public ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC regarding the ongoing nationwide industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), which has disrupted medical services across several states. Dr. Bature warned that misrepresenting corrective adjustments to the CONMESS framework as an upgrade risked creating unnecessary friction between healthcare professionals, potentially worsening the ongoing industrial tensions.
According to Dr. Bature, the NMA clarified that no upgrade of CONMESS took place in 2014, contrary to claims by organised labour. Instead, the changes reflected a corrective measure aimed at addressing long-standing distortions in the implementation of the salary structure. “The NMA wishes to unequivocally clarify that there was no upgrade of CONMESS whatsoever as falsely claimed. What occurred was a correction of a long-standing error and distortion in the application of the CONMESS framework, which had persisted despite clear approvals and established public service guidelines,” he said. The association explained that the corrective action restored CONMESS to its originally approved structure, noting that rectifying an anomaly should not be equated with special treatment or preferential consideration for doctors. By every technical, administrative, and objective measure, Dr. Bature emphasized, restoring the framework to its rightful position does not constitute an upgrade.
The NMA further highlighted that portraying the corrective action as preferential treatment could incite inter-professional conflict in the health sector, particularly at a time when hospitals and medical facilities are grappling with systemic challenges and ongoing industrial action. The association stressed the importance of careful communication to maintain harmony among healthcare professionals, cautioning that inflammatory claims could exacerbate existing tensions. Dr. Bature observed that adversarial public ultimatums issued by unions such as the NLC and TUC risked undermining trust and cooperation within the sector, urging labour leaders to exercise restraint and verify technical and administrative facts before issuing public statements regarding salary structures.
The public ultimatum by NLC and TUC forms part of a broader dispute over welfare, remuneration, and working conditions for healthcare workers, particularly members of JOHESU, who have repeatedly embarked on industrial actions in recent years. These actions have often highlighted grievances over salary delays, unpaid allowances, and perceived inequities in pay structures between doctors and other health workers. The NMA’s response seeks to clarify that the association’s position is consistent with public service guidelines and statutory approvals, framing the corrective adjustment as an administrative necessity rather than a benefit exclusive to doctors. Dr. Bature urged unions to engage in dialogue and avoid misinformation that could escalate industrial unrest.
In addition to clarifying the nature of the CONMESS correction, the NMA called on the Federal Government to remain committed to the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process as the lawful and appropriate platform for resolving industrial and welfare concerns. Dr. Bature stressed that the CBA mechanism allows for structured negotiations and ensures that all stakeholders’ interests are addressed within an institutional framework. He emphasised that bypassing the CBA process or misrepresenting administrative adjustments risks undermining long-term industrial harmony and could compromise healthcare service delivery.
The association also outlined the need for workforce rationalisation as a critical policy measure to improve healthcare delivery. Dr. Bature recommended that the government prioritise the retention, strengthening, and incentivisation of frontline clinical staff, particularly doctors and nurses, who are directly responsible for patient care and clinical decision-making. He suggested that non-core support services could be outsourced in a structured manner to enhance efficiency and resource allocation, thereby improving the overall quality of medical services across the country. The NMA argued that focusing on such structural reforms would bolster healthcare delivery while reducing friction between different cadres of healthcare workers.
Historical context emphasize the sensitivity of salary and allowance disputes in Nigeria’s health sector. Previous disputes over the implementation of CONMESS, as well as other salary frameworks, have occasionally led to nationwide strikes and disruptions in hospital operations. JOHESU and other unions have, in the past, challenged perceived inequities in pay scales between doctors and allied health professionals, leading to industrial actions that have affected patient care and public confidence in the healthcare system. The NMA’s statement is therefore set against a backdrop of long-standing tensions over remuneration and professional recognition within the sector, reflecting the need for accurate communication and administrative transparency.
Dr. Bature’s remarks also addressed the technical nature of the corrective action, emphasizing that it was in line with public service approvals and did not grant additional benefits beyond what had been sanctioned. By framing the issue as a rectification rather than an enhancement, the NMA sought to dispel narratives that could be used to justify inter-professional grievances or escalate disputes over salaries. The association reiterated that correcting errors in the application of approved salary structures is a standard administrative practice, aimed at ensuring fairness and adherence to regulatory guidelines.
The NMA highlighted that portraying the CONMESS correction as a benefit to doctors was both misleading and counterproductive. Dr. Bature warned that such mischaracterizations could undermine collaboration among health workers, hinder negotiations, and increase hostility in an already strained system. He urged unions and the media to engage in responsible reporting and public statements, noting that accurate information is essential for sustaining industrial harmony and maintaining trust between healthcare professionals, the government, and the public.
The association also reaffirmed its commitment to constructive dialogue and inter-professional harmony, stressing that all reforms and corrective measures should aim to strengthen the health sector collectively rather than create divisions. Dr. Bature emphasized that transparency, consultation, and adherence to statutory guidelines were essential for the proper functioning of the healthcare system and for the resolution of disputes related to salaries and working conditions.
Reflecting on the broader implications, the NMA underscored that the manner in which salary and welfare issues are communicated has direct consequences for public confidence in healthcare delivery. Misrepresentation of administrative corrections as preferential treatment could create perceptions of inequity, potentially undermining the morale of health workers and affecting patient care. Dr. Bature urged all stakeholders, including unions and government authorities, to prioritise clarity and accountability in their communications to prevent misunderstandings.
The NMA also noted that systemic reforms, including workforce rationalisation, structured outsourcing of support services, and retention incentives for frontline staff, are critical to sustaining the healthcare system. By implementing these measures alongside transparent management of salary structures, the association argued that the government could mitigate tensions, improve service delivery, and reduce the risk of industrial action.
Historical incidents, including previous nationwide strikes by JOHESU and other unions over CONMESS implementation and unpaid allowances, provide context for the current tensions. These past disputes have highlighted the fragile balance between healthcare workers’ welfare and the operational needs of hospitals, making accurate and transparent communication all the more important. The NMA positioned its clarification as an effort to prevent repetition of past conflicts that have disrupted healthcare services nationwide.
Dr. Bature further stressed that the NMA’s position does not undermine the role of labour unions in advocating for workers’ rights, but rather calls for engagement within lawful and structured frameworks such as the CBA. By reinforcing institutional processes, the NMA aims to ensure that grievances are addressed fairly, without compromising inter-professional relations or healthcare delivery.
The association concluded by urging government authorities to continue prioritising policies that enhance frontline medical services, including competitive remuneration, career progression incentives, and support mechanisms for doctors and nurses. These measures, combined with responsible union advocacy and accurate public communication, are essential to maintaining industrial peace and ensuring the provision of quality healthcare to Nigerians.