Nigerian Doctors turned into slave – Akwa Ibom NMA

The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Dr. Aniekan Peter, has decried what he described as the Federal Government’s gradual transformation of medical personnel into modern-day slaves—forced to work without commensurate remuneration.

Speaking further, Peter also raised concerns about the disparity in the treatment of Nigerian doctors working abroad and those at home. He criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to send doctors to St. Lucia and offer them significantly higher remuneration while neglecting those serving in Nigeria.

“You heard that our President, Bola Tinubu, in his benevolence to other nations, decided to send Nigerian doctors to St. Lucia and to pay them ₦3 million, yet doctors working at home are earning a paltry ₦300,000. We are saying that enough is enough.

“This country pays one of the worst, if not the worst, salaries to medical personnel. That’s why Nigerian doctors are leaving for Ghana, Togo, Liberia, and Cameroon. Is it not shameful that doctors are resigning from Nigeria to work in those countries?”

At the press briefing, Peter also presented a communiqué issued by the state branch of the association, reaffirming support for the 21-day ultimatum already issued by the National Officers Committee of the NMA in response to the circular from the National Salaries and Wages Commission.

According to him, the state branch has rejected the circular on the review of allowances for medical and dental officers and has made further recommendations in addition to the 19-point demands presented by the NOC to the Federal Government.

The demands include: A minimum of 300% pay rise for all medical and dental practitioners; universal applicability of all salary adjustments and allowances across federal, state, private, and university medical institutions, immediate withdrawal of the June 27, 2025 circular on revised allowances for medical and dental officers, correction of consequential adjustments in line with 2001, 2009, and 2014 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs); recalibration of the relativity between CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures, settlement of all outstanding arrears of 25–35% CONMESS, clinical duty, and call duty allowances owed to medical and dental officers.

Peter urged the Federal Government to act swiftly to address the worsening welfare crisis facing doctors and prevent further exodus of skilled professionals from the country.