No Upgrade of Doctors’ Salary Structure in 2014 — NMA Tells NLC, TUC

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has dismissed claims by organised labour that doctors’ salary structure, the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), was upgraded in 2014.

The association said what occurred was merely a correction of long-standing distortions in the implementation of CONMESS, not an upgrade or preferential treatment for doctors.

The NMA’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Mannir Bature, made this clarification on Monday while addressing journalists in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, in response to an ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the ongoing nationwide strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

According to the association, the adjustment carried out in 2014 was done in line with existing approvals and public service guidelines and simply restored CONMESS to its originally approved position.

“The NMA wishes to unequivocally clarify that there was no upgrade of CONMESS whatsoever as falsely claimed,” the association said.

“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.

“This corrective action merely restored CONMESS to its rightful and previously approved position. By every objective, technical and administrative definition, a correction of an anomaly does not amount to an upgrade.”

The NMA warned that portraying the correction as special treatment for doctors was misleading and could fuel unnecessary inter-professional tension at a time when Nigeria’s health sector is facing serious systemic challenges.

It also expressed concern over what it described as the adversarial tone of public ultimatums issued by labour unions, urging the NLC and TUC to exercise restraint and avoid spreading misinformation on sensitive remuneration issues.

“The NMA is particularly concerned about the adversarial tone and issuance of public ultimatums on a matter that requires careful verification, technical understanding and institutional engagement,” the association said.

“We urge the TUC and NLC to exercise caution, restraint and responsibility in their public communications, especially on sensitive salary structure issues, so as not to misinform workers or the general public.”

The association 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 in the health sector.

The NMA also urged the government to prioritise workforce rationalisation aimed at strengthening frontline clinical services, particularly through the retention and incentivisation of doctors and nurses. It further recommended the structured outsourcing of non-core support services to improve efficiency and service delivery.

“Greater policy attention should be directed towards retaining, strengthening and incentivising frontline clinical workers, particularly doctors and nurses, who bear primary responsibility for direct patient care and clinical decision-making,” the association stated.

The NMA reaffirmed its commitment to constructive dialogue, transparency and inter-professional harmony in the overall interest of healthcare workers and the Nigerian public.