The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has cautioned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to exercise restraint in their public statements on salary-related issues, warning that misleading narratives could confuse workers and the general public.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking at a press conference in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, the NMA’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Mannir Bature, urged the two labour unions to be more careful when addressing sensitive matters such as remuneration structures.
Dr Bature also called on the Federal Government to remain focused on the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process, describing it as the appropriate, lawful and structured avenue for resolving issues bordering on remuneration, welfare and industrial relations in the health sector.
He said the CBA framework provides a unique opportunity for holistic, inclusive and sustainable solutions, with all relevant stakeholders adequately represented.
The NMA further emphasised the need for the government to rationalise the health workforce in a way that prioritises efficiency and service delivery.
“Greater policy attention should be directed towards retaining, strengthening and incentivising frontline clinical workers, particularly doctors and nurses, who bear primary responsibility for direct patient care and clinical decision-making,” Dr Bature said.
He added that many ancillary and support services, which fall outside core clinical functions, could be more efficiently handled through structured outsourcing arrangements.
“Such an approach would reduce redundancy, optimise limited resources, improve value for money, and ultimately enhance the quality and responsiveness of healthcare services delivered to Nigerians,” he said.
According to Dr Bature, recent interventions by the NLC and TUC reflect fragmented and selective narratives, often driven by pressure rather than due process, warning that such approaches would not promote lasting industrial harmony.
“What the health sector requires is comprehensive engagement, good-faith negotiations, respect for existing agreements, and adherence to clearly defined professional roles and responsibilities,” he said.
Reaffirming the association’s stance, Dr Bature said the NMA remains committed to constructive dialogue, transparency and inter-professional harmony.
“We will continue to engage responsibly with government and labour institutions in the overall interest of healthcare workers and the Nigerian people,” he added.
Clarifying recent claims, Dr Bature dismissed reports of an upgrade of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), describing them as false.
“What occurred was a correction of a long-standing error and distortion in the application of the CONMESS framework, which had persisted despite clear approvals and established public service guidelines,” he said.
He explained that the corrective action merely restored CONMESS to its rightful and previously approved position.
“By every objective, technical and administrative definition, a correction of an anomaly does not amount to an upgrade. The attempt to portray this correction as preferential treatment is therefore misleading and inaccurate, and risks creating unnecessary tension within the health sector,” Dr Bature added.
He warned that such narratives could fuel avoidable inter-professional discord at a time when unity and collaboration are urgently needed to address the systemic challenges confronting Nigeria’s health system.
“The NMA is particularly concerned about the adversarial tone and issuance of public ultimatums on a matter that requires careful verification, technical understanding and institutional engagement,” he said.
