LunagisthubGood News for Nigeria’s Resident Doctors: FG Begins Payment of CONMESS Salary Arrears
After months of waiting, the Federal Government has started paying long-overdue salary arrears to members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). The arrears stem from the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and cover between one to six months, depending on the doctor.NARD’s Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Abdulmajid Ibrahim, confirmed in a letter to members that disbursement is underway. Several resident doctors have confirmed receipt of their arrears.
A minor administrative issue may delay the August component by one to two weeks, but it’s being addressed.
The CONMESS review adjusts salary scales for medical and dental officers in the public sector. Delays in implementation have repeatedly caused friction between doctors and government, even triggering strikes that disrupted services in federal and state hospitals.
Resident doctors are the backbone of Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals. Yet poor welfare, unpaid salaries, and hazardous working conditions have fueled a brain drain. Industry estimates show Nigeria has lost thousands of doctors to migration in recent years, worsening an already strained doctor-to-patient ratio.
This payment signals progress. It shows government is responding to welfare concerns that could otherwise spark fresh industrial action. If you haven’t been credited yet, payments are still ongoing.After disbursement, channel unresolved payment complaints through your centre leadership for quick resolution.
Dr Ibrahim thanked members for their patience and resilience, reaffirming NARD’s commitment to the welfare of all resident doctors.
Paying these CONMESS arrears is a crucial step toward retaining skilled doctors, stabilizing healthcare delivery, and rebuilding trust between government and medical professionals. For Nigeria’s health system, that’s a win worth noting.Looking for more updates on healthcare, doctor welfare, and FG policies? Bookmark this page and subscribe for weekly insights on Nigeria’s medical sector.
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