The Federal Government has suspended Circular No. SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646, which revised allowances for only medical and dental officers, following strong opposition from healthcare unions.
The circular, issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) on June 27, 2025, was criticised for excluding nurses, midwives, and other key health professionals.
It was also faulted for breaching previous collective bargaining agreements signed in 2001, 2009, and 2014.
Healthcare unions, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), condemned the move and called it divisive and discriminatory.
The South-West caucus of the NMA had also issued a 21-day ultimatum, threatening an indefinite strike from July 25.
NANNM described the circular as “unacceptable” and warned that such exclusions could trigger nationwide unrest among the nursing workforce. The association demanded a 200% upward review of allowances.
They called for structured internship placements, restoration of specialist allowances, and the creation of a Department of Nursing within the Federal Ministry of Health.
In response, the FG has put the circular on hold, stating that further consultations with relevant stakeholders will be conducted to ensure equity and inclusion across all cadres of health workers.
The suspension was announced after a high-level meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance, who also leads the Presidential Committee on Salaries.
The review aims to address gaps in hazard, shift, specialist, and uniform allowances, and to reflect the current realities of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Experts say the move is critical to curbing the brain drain, which sees thousands of Nigerian health workers migrate abroad each year.
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