The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a stern call to the Federal Government to swiftly conclude, sign, and implement the outstanding Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for health workers, warning that persistent delays are exacerbating workforce dissatisfaction and accelerating the outward migration of clinical professionals.
​The demand was contained in a official communique presented during a press briefing held on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the NMA National Secretariat in Abuja.
​Speaking on behalf of the association, NMA President Prof. Afekhide Ernest Omoti, alongside Secretary-General Dr. Tamunokuro Diamond emphasized that the prolonged inaction regarding the CBA continues to destabilize the nation’s fragile health sector.
​”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,” Prof. Omoti stated. “This trend must be urgently reversed.”
The association urged the Federal Government to conclude and sign the CBA in time for its financial provisions to be captured in the upcoming 2027 Appropriation Bill.
The NMA reiterated the need to immediately implement a 65-year retirement age for clinical health workers without unnecessary administrative bottlenecks to help retain experienced clinicians amid severe manpower shortages.
The leadership called for targeted tax waivers, rebates, and relief measures for healthcare practitioners in both public and private institutions. Private health operators, in particular, require protection from multiple taxation and rising electricity tariffs to prevent high operational costs from being passed on to vulnerable patients.
The NMA advocated for the universal application of health salary structures, such as CONMESS, across federal, state, local government, and university health institutions.
Highlighting the safety threats facing frontline personnel, the association called on government and security agencies to fortify security around medical facilities, especially in vulnerable communities.
​Prof. Omoti acknowledged ongoing government efforts toward upgrading health infrastructure but stressed that physical structures are ineffective without a motivated and adequately compensated workforce.
The NMA urged federal authorities to match capital investments with sustained commitment to health worker welfare to safeguard the country’s health delivery system.
