Relief For Doctors As FG Commences Nationwide Payment Of Salary Arrears

According to Ireporter Online, the Federal Government has commenced the payment of outstanding salary arrears owed to members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors following the recent review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), bringing relief to affected medical personnel across the country.

The association’s Publicity and Social Secretary, Abdulmajid Ibrahim, confirmed the development in a message circulated to members on April 14, 2026, noting that disbursement had already begun reaching eligible doctors. He disclosed that some beneficiaries have received arrears covering between one and six months, while others are still being processed as the payment rollout continues across various medical centres nationwide. He further assured that those yet to receive their payments should remain patient, as the exercise is ongoing and all eligible doctors will eventually be covered. However, he added that payments relating to the August component of the arrears may experience a short delay of about one to two weeks due to administrative challenges.

The CONMESS salary structure, which governs remuneration for medical and dental practitioners in public hospitals, has long been a contentious issue between government authorities and doctors, with recurring disputes over implementation delays and unpaid arrears. These challenges have previously contributed to industrial actions by resident doctors, disrupting services in public health institutions. Resident doctors, who form a critical backbone of Nigeria’s tertiary healthcare system, have continued to raise concerns over unpaid entitlements, working conditions, and increasing migration of medical professionals in search of better opportunities abroad.