INTRODUCTION
Distinguished members of the press, gentlemen and ladies, we welcome you to this press conference following the successful conclusion of the National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), held at Barcelona Hotel, Blantyre Street, Wuse II, Abuja, from 24th to 28th August 2026.
The National Executive Council is the highest policy-making organ of the Nigerian Medical Association and brings together representatives of medical doctors from across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
At the meeting, the NMA undertook an extensive review of developments within the health sector, the welfare of medical practitioners and other health workers, the state of healthcare infrastructure, insecurity, migration of health professionals, drug and substance abuse, road infrastructure and other issues affecting the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.
Before highlighting the key resolutions of the Council, the Nigerian Medical Association wishes to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the Federal Government and other stakeholders in improving healthcare infrastructure and strengthening various aspects of the health sector.
We particularly appreciate ongoing investments and interventions aimed at improving healthcare facilities, expanding access to healthcare services and strengthening the capacity of the health system.
We recognise that building a resilient health system requires sustained investment, and we commend the Government for the progress recorded in this regard.
However, the NMA believes that infrastructure alone cannot guarantee an effective health system without a motivated, adequately protected and properly remunerated health workforce.
We therefore appeal to the Federal Government to sustain its investments in infrastructure while urgently addressing the human-resource challenges confronting the health sector.
We also call on Government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity across the country. The escalating cases of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and killings are not only threats to national security but also constitute a major public health emergency. Healthcare workers cannot effectively serve communities when their own lives and safety are under constant threat.
The NMA therefore calls on Government to make the protection of lives and property a matter of urgent national priority.
KEY ISSUES AND RESOLUTIONS OF THE NEC
Following extensive deliberations, the National Executive Council made the following observations and resolutions:
- COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
The NEC expressed concern over the continued delay in concluding and implementing the outstanding Collective Bargaining Agreement with health workers.
The NMA notes that prolonged delays in addressing the legitimate demands of health workers have contributed significantly to dissatisfaction within the workforce and have further encouraged the migration of medical doctors and other health professionals out of Nigeria.
The NMA therefore calls on the Federal Government to urgently conclude, approve, sign and implement the outstanding Collective Bargaining Agreement. This must be done early enough to include it in the 2027 budget to avoid further disruption of health services.
We emphasise that meaningful engagement with health workers is essential to industrial harmony and the retention of skilled professionals in the Nigerian health system.
- TAX RELIEF FOR HEALTH WORKERS
The NEC expressed concern over the continued failure to implement appropriate tax relief measures for essential workers, particularly healthcare professionals.
Medical practitioners and other healthcare workers provide essential services under demanding and often hazardous conditions, including working long hours, responding to emergencies and providing care in underserved communities.
The NMA therefore calls on the Federal Government to consider and grant appropriate tax waivers, rebates or other tax relief measures to medical practitioners and other healthcare professionals both for those in the public and private sectors. Doctors in private hospitals need special protections from multiple taxations and heavy electricity tariff burden whose cost may ultimately be transferred to the poor Nigerian patients
The Association believes that such measures will contribute to improving the welfare and retention of health professionals in Nigeria.
- DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG YOUNG NIGERIANS
The NEC expressed grave concern over the increasing prevalence of drug and substance abuse among Nigerian youths and its consequences for mental health, families, communities and the nation’s productive workforce.
The NMA considers this a growing public health emergency requiring a coordinated national response.
We therefore call on the Federal Government to declare drug and substance abuse among Nigerian youths a national public health priority.
Government should strengthen prevention programmes, improve public enlightenment, regulate access to harmful substances, and expand mental health and addiction treatment services at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of healthcare.
The NMA also calls for greater collaboration among the Ministries, Departments and Agencies responsible for health, education, youth development, security and social welfare in tackling this challenge.
- POOR ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
The NEC expressed concern over the poor state of road infrastructure across the country.
Bad roads have serious implications for healthcare delivery. They delay patients seeking emergency care, impede referrals, affect the transportation of medicines and medical supplies and make it difficult for healthcare workers to reach underserved communities.
The NMA therefore calls on Government at all levels to urgently prioritise the rehabilitation, construction and maintenance of roads leading to healthcare facilities, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
We urge Government to recognise road infrastructure as an essential component of healthcare delivery and a critical determinant of health outcomes.
- RETIREMENT AGE OF CLINICAL HEALTH WORKERS
The NEC reiterated its concern over the delay in implementing the retirement age of 65 years for clinical health workers.
At a time when Nigeria is experiencing a significant shortage of skilled healthcare professionals due to migration and other factors, retaining experienced clinicians within the system is essential.
The NMA therefore calls on the Federal Government to urgently implement the retirement age of 65 years for clinical health workers.
This will provide an important palliative measure while Nigeria continues to address the broader challenge of healthcare workforce shortages and migration.
- INSECURITY AND THE SAFETY OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS
The NMA expressed grave concern over the escalating cases of killings, kidnapping, banditry and other forms of insecurity across the country.
Of particular concern is the continued captivity of a medical practitioner from Niger State who has reportedly been held for approximately four months.
This situation is unacceptable.
Healthcare workers are essential to the survival and wellbeing of our communities. They should not have to choose between serving their patients and protecting their own lives.
The NMA therefore makes a strong appeal to the Federal Government and all relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to end banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other forms of insecurity across Nigeria.
We particularly urge Government to strengthen security around healthcare facilities and personnel in vulnerable communities and ensure that every effort is made to secure the safe release of the abducted doctor and all other citizens being held in captivity.
OUR APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT
Distinguished members of the press, the Nigerian Medical Association remains a patriotic and responsible professional body.
We are partners with Government in the development of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Our criticisms and demands are therefore made in the spirit of constructive engagement and a genuine desire to build a healthier, safer and more prosperous Nigeria.
We acknowledge the progress being made by Government in several areas of healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.
However, we urge Government to match infrastructure development with investment in the healthcare workforce.
A hospital building without doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other skilled professionals cannot provide the quality-of-care Nigerians deserve.
Nigeria is losing some of its finest medical professionals to other countries because of difficult working conditions, insecurity, inadequate remuneration, limited career opportunities and other systemic challenges.
This trend must be urgently reversed.
We therefore call on Government to:
- Conclude and implement the outstanding Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Universal applicability of salaries, wages and income to all doctors irrespective of where they work. (Federal, State, Universities, LGAs, etc)
- Introduce appropriate tax relief measures for healthcare professionals and other essential workers.
- Implement the 65-year retirement age for clinical health workers.
- Strengthen measures to retain and motivate healthcare professionals in Nigeria.
- Declare drug and substance abuse among youths a national public health priority.
- Expand mental health and addiction treatment services nationwide.
- Improve road infrastructure, particularly roads providing access to healthcare facilities.
- Intensify the fight against kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other forms of insecurity.
- Strengthen the security of healthcare workers and facilities nationwide.
- Ensure the safe rescue and return of abducted healthcare workers and other Nigerians in captivity.
CONCLUSION
The NMA believes that the health of Nigerians is inseparable from the security, economic stability and overall development of the country.
We cannot build a healthy nation on unsafe roads.
We cannot retain healthcare professionals in an environment where their lives are threatened.
We cannot effectively address brain drain without improving the welfare and working conditions of health workers.
And we cannot secure the future of Nigeria’s young population without confronting the growing menace of drug and substance abuse.
The Nigerian Medical Association therefore calls for a stronger partnership between Government, healthcare professionals, development partners, civil society and all Nigerians.
We remain committed to constructive engagement with the Federal Government and other stakeholders in finding sustainable solutions to the challenges confronting our healthcare system.
The NMA will continue to advocate for the welfare of its members while remaining firmly committed to its ultimate responsibility: protecting the health and wellbeing of the Nigerian people.
We thank the Government for the progress already recorded and urge it to do more.
We also appreciate the media for its continued partnership and for providing a platform through which issues affecting the health of Nigerians can receive the attention they deserve.
Thank you.
Dr. (Prof.) Afekhide Ernest Omoti Dr. Tamunokuro E. Diamond
President Secretary-General
