Lagos NMA has rejected a new salary plan, calling it dangerous to Nigeria’s health system.
Doctors say the proposal ignores clinical responsibility and could worsen medical brain drain nationwide.
The Lagos branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has strongly opposed the Federal Government’s proposed new salary plan for doctors, calling it unfair, unprofessional, and harmful to the country’s struggling healthcare system.
At a press briefing held in Lagos on Friday, NMA Chairman Dr. Babajide Saheed condemned the proposal, warning that it could destabilize clinical leadership and compromise hospital accountability across the country.
“After thorough consultations and evaluation, we have found this proposal deeply flawed and capable of damaging the integrity of our health system,” Dr. Saheed stated.
He emphasized that the Federal Government’s suggested pay structure ignores long-standing salary relativity an established system that reflects the differences in training, clinical risk, and responsibility among health professionals.
“This is not about superiority,” Saheed noted. “As the late Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti said, the hierarchy in healthcare is about responsibility, not ego. Undermining that chain threatens the very structure of accountability in hospitals.”
According to the NMA, removing this salary relativity would create confusion over clinical roles and leadership, eroding the professional hierarchy vital for efficient patient care.
The association also raised strong objections to the inclusion of specialist and honorarium allowances for non-doctors in the proposed salary system. Dr. Saheed insisted these allowances were established specifically for licensed clinicians who have completed rigorous postgraduate training.
“These benefits are for clinicians certified by accredited professional colleges,” he said. “Extending them to others dilutes their meaning and purpose.”
Referring to global standards, Saheed cited World Health Organization recommendations, stressing that specialist pay must reflect a practitioner’s clinical responsibilities, expertise, and risk exposure factors the proposed structure allegedly overlooks.
The NMA also took issue with efforts to create parity between medical doctors and those with academic doctorates in allied health fields such as pharmacy and optometry.
“While we respect all health professionals, a Doctor of Pharmacy is not the same as a certified medical consultant,” he said. “No advanced healthcare system whether in the UK, Canada, or Australia treats those roles as equivalent. It’s misleading and professionally unjustifiable.”
Backing the 21-day ultimatum issued by the NMA’s national leadership, the Lagos chapter said the move was essential to uphold fairness and protect Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
“This ultimatum is not hostile; it’s a plea for responsible dialogue,” Saheed said. “We fully support the call for restoration of salary relativity and reversal of the unfair allocation of allowances.”
He also urged the Lagos State Government not to implement the proposed structure until a fair and professionally negotiated agreement is reached with the NMA.
“Lagos has a strong reputation for healthcare leadership,” he said. “We appeal to the government not to jeopardize that by adopting a flawed framework.”
Saheed also raised alarm over the worsening brain drain in the medical profession, noting that Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio has fallen to 1:5,000 far from the World Health Organization’s recommended 1:600.
“Doctors are already leaving the country in large numbers,” he warned. “This new structure will only accelerate the exodus. Behind every doctor who leaves is a clinic on the brink and patients left behind.”
In conclusion, the Lagos NMA called for a collaborative, evidence-driven approach to reforming medical pay, grounded in the realities of clinical work.
“We’re not opposed to reform,” Saheed said. “But reform must be just, professional, and aligned with global standards. This is about the survival of our healthcare system and honoring those who carry its heaviest burdens.”
