Pay Parity: NAMDA Cautions TUC, NLC Over Ultimatum to Health Ministry
…Says Doctors will resist further salary distortions. …Invites Labor Centers to historical fact-finding meeting
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has issued a strong note of caution to the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over their recent joint ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH).
In a three pages statement released dated 24th January, 2026 and signed by Dr. N. L. Orhue, President, Dr. Shehu Abdulrahman, Secretary General, Dr. Mohammed Adamu Askira National Liaison Secretary; NAMDA addressed the January 23rd, 2026, ultimatum signed by Comrade General N.A. Toro (TUC) and Comrade Benson Upah (NLC), which seeks to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) to match the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
NAMDA warned that medical and dental surgeons nationwide will not tolerate any further breaches or distortions of the established salary relativity between doctors (CONMESS) and other health workers (CONHESS).
The association expressed disappointment that the two labor centers, which are expected to represent the interests of all Nigerian workers, seemingly relied on a “one-sided story” from the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
“Issuing a threat on a subject matter where they have, at best, half of the facts is unexpected of Federation unions,” the statement read. “We advise both NLC and TUC to open up to facts and avoid the continuous belief in the misrepresentations by JOHESU, which is capable of embarrassing them.”
NAMDA reminded the labor centers that the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Federal Government in 2014, and any breach of that agreement would erode the professional privileges of doctors.
The association further noted:
Global Standards: There is no healthcare system in the world where pay parity exists between doctors and other health workers.
Historical Fact: Pay relativity has been a fundamental principle in Nigeria since the colonial era, only distorted by the Udoji award of 1974 and the 1999 harmonization.
Judicial Ruling: The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) previously rejected JOHESU’s prayer for parity, ruling that “only work of equal value shall attract equal pay.”
NAMDA clarified that it does not oppose salary increases for health workers. It noted that doctors successfully canvassed for the July 2025 salary review, which led to the current government committee on collective bargaining.
“To demand for adjustment of CONHESS as was done to CONMESS in 2014 is tantamount to asking for equal pay with the doctors. Where is the equity and justice?” NAMDA queried.
The association concluded by offering to provide the NLC and TUC with documented historical evidence regarding health sector pay structures to ensure a balanced perspective.
NAMDA warned however that, “Any further distortion of the relativity between CONHESS and CONMESS shall receive an appropriate and prompt response.”
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