Why Over 2,000 Nigerian Resident Doctors Are Still Owed Seven Months’ Salaries Under Tinubu

Has the Federal Government truly settled the salary arrears of Nigerian doctors—or is the health sector heading for another shutdown? The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has challenged the Tinubu administration’s claim that outstanding 25–35 per cent CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure) arrears have been fully paid, revealing that over 2,000 resident doctors are still owed seven months’ salaries.

Speaking on Channels Television, NARD President Dr. Mohammad Suleman disclosed that despite repeated government assurances, thousands of doctors have not received their lawful entitlements. “We still have over 2,000, almost 3,000 of our members who are yet to be paid those arrears,” he said, contradicting official statements that the issue had been resolved.

While the Federal Government earlier claimed that seven out of NARD’s 19 demands had been statutorily addressed—including the CONMESS adjustment—Suleman described the approach as inconsistent and unsustainable. According to him, the arrears have repeatedly been pushed into “service-wide vote” provisions rather than being permanently captured in the national budget.

“In 2023, it was said to be put inside the service-wide vote if it wasn’t paid. In 2024, it was put there again. In 2025, it was still put there,” he explained. He questioned why doctors must rely on repeated presidential interventions before their legally approved salaries are honoured, asking whether arrears must always wait for special provisions rather than standard budgetary processes.

Suleman confirmed that negotiations with the Federal Government and the Ministry of Health were ongoing, expressing cautious optimism that meaningful progress could be achieved quickly. However, he made it clear that NARD’s final decision on its planned strike would depend on concrete evidence of government goodwill, not court orders or threats of “no work, no pay.”

Despite a National Industrial Court injunction restraining the association from embarking on its proposed strike, Suleman insisted that the resolve of members remained firm. “All these were factored into the decision to embark on this strike,” he said, adding that only the association’s National Executive Council could decide whether the nationwide action scheduled for Monday would be suspended.

He also raised broader concerns about the impact of unpaid salaries on both healthcare workers and patients, asking whether the government was ignoring the exhaustion, frustration, and deteriorating working conditions faced by doctors across the country.

NARD has maintained its plan for a total and indefinite strike, citing the Federal Government’s alleged failure to fully implement agreements contained in a Memorandum of Understanding signed after the last strike was suspended in November. The association also rejected claims that its actions are politically motivated.

As the deadline approaches, critical questions remain: Why are thousands of doctors still unpaid months after government assurances? Will negotiations finally resolve the arrears, or will hospitals once again face disruption? And what does this standoff mean for Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system? With doctors demanding accountability and the government under pressure, the coming days could determine whether compromise prevails—or another nationwide strike begins.