Lagos NMA Rejects New Salary Structure for Doctors, Warns of Healthcare Crisis

The Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has outrightly rejected the Federal Government’s proposed salary structure for medical doctors, describing it as unjust, unprofessional, and a threat to Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare system.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Friday, NMA Lagos Chairman, Dr. Babajide Saheed, criticised the proposed structure, saying it undermines clinical leadership and weakens professional accountability within hospitals.

“After careful review and wide consultations with stakeholders, it is clear that this proposed structure is fundamentally flawed and capable of damaging the integrity of our health system,” Saheed declared.

The NMA accused the Federal Government of disregarding the long-standing salary relativity, which determines the pay structure for doctors and other health professionals based on training, clinical responsibility, and risk exposure.

“This is not about superiority,” Saheed emphasised, quoting the late Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti. “Hierarchy in healthcare is not about ego it is about responsibility. Undermining that structure destroys the chain of accountability that ensures patient safety.”

The association warned that scrapping salary relativity would trigger confusion and power struggles over clinical leadership within hospitals.

Saheed also condemned the inclusion of specialist and honorarium allowances for non-medical doctors in the proposed structure, calling it an insult to those who undergo years of rigorous postgraduate clinical training.

“These allowances are intended for certified clinicians, recognised by accredited professional colleges. Extending them to non-clinicians completely erodes the value and purpose of specialist certification,” he explained.

Citing World Health Organisation guidelines, Saheed stressed that specialist remuneration must reflect clinical leadership, advanced expertise, and risk exposure factors ignored in the current proposal.

The NMA further opposed the proposed pay parity between medical doctors and holders of academic doctorates in allied fields such as pharmacy and optometry.

“While we respect the contributions of every healthcare professional, clinical licensure and direct patient care are entirely different from academic qualifications,” Saheed argued. “Equating a Doctor of Pharmacy to a certified medical consultant is professionally indefensible. No serious health system in the world operates like that not in the UK, not in Canada, not in Australia.”

The Lagos NMA also backed the 21-day ultimatum issued by the national body to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate reversal of the proposed structure and the restoration of salary relativity.

“This is not about confrontation it is a call for responsible dialogue and meaningful reform. We stand firmly by all the demands of the NMA,” Saheed stated.

The association also urged the Lagos State Government to reject the proposed structure, warning that adopting it could damage the state’s reputation for healthcare excellence.

“Lagos has always been a model for healthcare standards in Nigeria. We strongly advise against implementing a structure that is divisive, flawed, and professionally damaging,” Saheed warned.

The NMA raised concerns about worsening brain drain in the health sector, noting that Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio, currently estimated at 1:5,000, is far below the WHO-recommended 1:600 and could deteriorate further.

“Doctors are leaving Nigeria in droves. This proposed structure will only accelerate that trend. Every doctor who leaves means a collapsing clinic and another patient left behind,” he cautioned.

The association called on the Federal Government to engage in constructive, evidence-based dialogue with the NMA to develop a fair, globally competitive, and sustainable salary framework for medical professionals.

“We are not opposed to reform. But reform must be fair, professional, and grounded in the realities of clinical work in Nigeria,” Saheed concluded. “This is about preserving the future of our healthcare system and recognising the sacrifices of those who carry its heaviest burdens.