August NMA NEC Meeting Communique

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE AUGUST 2025 NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) MEETING OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA) HELD AT THE BORNO MEETING ROOM TRANSCORP HILTON HOTEL, FCT, ABUJA ON THE 30^TH AUGUST 2025

PREAMBLE

The National Executive Council meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) was held at the Borno Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Saturday 30^th August 2025. The theme of the Conference and Meeting was “Healthcare in Transition: The Role of Advocacy in Securing the Welfare and Retaining Talent in Nigeria’s Evolving Economy”.

The Opening Ceremony which held under the distinguished Chairmanship of the Honorable Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Hon. Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, had several dignitaries in attendance including the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezemwo Wike CON ably represented by the Mandate Secretary for Health Services & Environment, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Honorable Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako ably represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Dr. Ololade Kehinde; the Chairman of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr. Prof. Afolabi Lesi, the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria; Dr. Fatima Kyari. The Conference also had in attendance Past Presidents and Past Secretaries-General of the Association as well as Chairmen and Secretaries from the States and FCT.

A major highlight of the meeting was the unveiling of a ₦37 million welfare fund by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to mark a National Charity Day, scheduled for October 20, 2025, across all 36 states and the FCT. The fund, part of the Association’s corporate social responsibility initiative, will be directed towards supporting orphanages and providing assistance to ailing members.

OBSERVATIONS

1. NEC welcomes the inauguration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Committee by the Federal Government of Nigeria to address welfare and remuneration issues affecting health workers in the country.
2. NEC noted the withdrawal of the June 27^th circular on CONMESS improvement by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and the release of another circular on CONMESS and CONHESS which aptly captures the proper placement of health workers in the health sector. The NEC further observed that the circular on professional allowances is yet to be released.
3. The NEC appreciated the presentation of the committee on National prescription policy made by the Chairman, Prof Afolabi Lesi.
4. NEC noted that the issues of locum doctors affecting doctors in National Hospital, Abuja has been largely resolved and thanked those involved in solving the issues amicably.
5. NEC expressed displeasure at the lack of constitution of Boards of Federal Health parastatals and warned that this delay is injurious to proper representation of the Nigerian people at these agencies.
6. NEC welcomed the payment of two-month arrears of allowances owed medical doctors in the employment of the Federal Government and commended all efforts by the National Officers Committee in securing this payment.
7. The NEC also noted that the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) has been paid to most of the Resident Doctors while there are some resident doctors that are yet to received their payments.

RESOLUTIONS

1. NEC expressed warm appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima GCON for their continuous support, approval and endorsement of policies that improve doctors’ welfare at the Federal Executive Council.
2. NEC noted the recommendations of the Committee on National Prescription Policy and promised to study the document and communicate NMAs position on the proposed policy in due course.
3. NEC urged the Federal Government to urgently prioritize the reconstitution of the Boards of Federal Hospitals and Health-related agencies and parastatals to enable them function optimally, especially that of the MDCN.
4. NEC commends the efforts of key Government parastatals and agencies notably the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), National Salaries Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Budget Office of the Federation (BOF), Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Ministry of Labor and Productivity, Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, and other stakeholders involved in discussions at the Committee on Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). NEC also lauded the decision to conclude the CBA process within the month of September, to ensure that it is captured in the 2026 appropriation bill which is being prepared.
5. NEC applauded the Federal Government on the release of the recent circular that ensures inter-professional relativity and hoped that the circular on professional allowances will be released soon.
6. NEC reiterated that the casualization of doctors should be discouraged and members of the Association on locum appointments should be converted to permanent employment to address the brain drain challenges in the country.
7. NEC called on the Federal Government to immediately pay the remaining 5-month arrears of allowances (25/35% wage award, accoutrements and clinical duty) and balance of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to doctors as agreed in the July 2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government and NMA.
8. NEC resolved that the December 2025 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and 2026 Annual General Conference and Delegates Meeting (AGC/DM) would be hosted by NMA branches of Ogun State and Kano State respectively.
9. NEC ratified the appointment of Dr Anas Ismail as the Editor-in-Chief of Nigerian Medical Journal, following the expiration of the tenure of Dr Dantoye Alasia.

APPRECIATION

The Nigerian Medical Association expresses its sincere appreciation and is immensely grateful to the following personalities for various roles and support before, during and after the meeting:

1. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR,
2. The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima GCON,
3. The Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
4. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammed Ali Pate,
5. The Honorable Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa.
6. The Honorable Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Adekunle Salako,
7. The Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu,
8. The Mandate Secretary of Health for the Federal Capital Territory, Adedolapo Fasawe,
9. The Chairman of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Prof Afolabi Lesi,
10. The Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr Fatima Kyari.

Dr. (Prof) Bala Audu                                                 Dr. Benjamin Egbo

President                                                                                 Secretary General