Ekiti, Ondo doctors warn of looming strike
Medical doctors in Ekiti and Ondo States have rejected a new order from the Federal Government pertaining to the review of allowances for health workers, describing it as obnoxious and a violation of existing agreements.
The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, in both states have, therefore, pledged to oppose the policy, warning that failure to withdraw the circular within the 21-day ultimatum issued by the national body could trigger a nationwide strike.
Leaders of the NMA said the circular undermines long-standing agreements on salary relativity between doctors and other health workers, faulting the timing of the policy amid widespread brain drain, poor working conditions, and mounting workload within the country’s health sector.
DAILY POST reports that the NMA’s national leadership had earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the withdrawal of a circular released by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission on June 27, 2025.
The circular, with reference number SWC/S/04/S.218/11/646, outlines a revised allowance structure for health workers.
However, addressing newsmen on Thursday, Ekiti State NMA Chairman, Dr. Ifedayo Oreyemi, urged the government to stop the circular forthwith before the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum.
In the same vein, the Ondo State NMA chapter condemned the circular issued by the wages commission, calling it ill-conceived and ill-timed given the worsening shortage of health personnel due to the Japa trend.
The association, in a communiqué released after an emergency meeting in Akure, signed by the state chairman and secretary, Dr. Alonge Olumuyiwa and Dr. Olaopa Gideon respectively, reiterated its rejection of the circular and demanded a 300 per cent pay increase for all medical and dental practitioners.
“This obnoxious circular is coming against the background of a perennial shortage of human resources for health in the various facets and at all levels of healthcare in the face of the Japa syndrome, with its attendant work overload experienced by doctors and other health workers who chose to stay behind to serve our people,” the communiqué said.
Ekiti, Ondo doctors warn of looming strike
