• The government will pay 11.99 billion nairas in overdue salaries within 72 hours.

• The announcement follows a nationwide strike by resident doctors.

• Nigeria plans to hire 15,000 new health workers to address staff shortages.

The Nigerian government announced earlier this week it will release 11.995 billion nairas ($8.3 million) within 72 hours to settle outstanding salaries and allowances owed to health professionals across the country.

FG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO DOCTORS' WELFARE AND INDUSTRIAL HARMONY IN THE HEALTH SECTOR

Massive Recruitment, Payment of Arrears, and Reforms Underway as Government Prioritises Health Workforce Wellbeing as the Bedrock of System Strengthening.

The Federal Government has… pic.twitter.com/q0JAZlu2d6

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) November 1, 2025

According to an official statement, 21 billion nairas were transferred on October 30 to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for payment of workers, including members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

The announcement came just hours after NARD launched a nationwide strike to protest poor working conditions and unresolved professional concerns.

Authorities said the government has begun recruiting 15,000 new health workers this year, compared with 20,000 in 2024, to address the impact of brain drain and long working hours. The plan is part of a broader strategy to ensure that public health facilities are adequately staffed, safe, and able to deliver quality care.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, faces mounting pressure on its health system due to rapid population growth, deteriorating infrastructure, migration of skilled workers, and wide disparities in access to care between rural and urban areas.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the ongoing brain drain poses an existential threat to the sector, as many health professionals continue to leave for developed countries offering higher pay, job security, and better working conditions.

In August, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance began disbursing seven months of back pay linked to a 25%–35% salary increase under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for all health workers, totaling 10 billion nairas.