The Federal Government has assured Nigerian health workers that their long-standing welfare concerns are being addressed through ongoing negotiations, urging them to remain committed to serving the public in good faith.

Speaking to journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, confirmed that the government is actively engaging critical stakeholders, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which recently issued an ultimatum over unresolved welfare issues.

“There are issues we can resolve through negotiation, and we are intent, in good faith, to continue to find ways to resolve those outstanding issues with them over time,” Pate said.
“Health workers are the lifeblood of the healthcare system. Infrastructure alone is not enough without the human workforce.”

Pate reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to peaceful labour relations and proactive efforts to prevent industrial action within the health sector.

He highlighted recent presidential investments in healthcare infrastructure, including new oncology centres in Katsina, Enugu, and Maiduguri, as part of a broader effort to modernise tertiary health institutions. According to him, these centres offer world-class cancer care supported by skilled oncology professionals.

He also announced the FEC’s approval for the upgrade of the Oncology Centre at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, which will now feature a Linear Accelerator for advanced cancer treatment. Additional centres are planned in Lagos, Nasarawa, and other states.

Referencing the week’s developments, Pate said over 10 new facilities were commissioned at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, including centres for neurology, stroke, heart care, interventional radiology, and oncology—making it one of the largest tertiary health hubs in West Africa.

“This country has never witnessed such attention by a president to boost the health system,” Pate added.

On welfare matters, the minister acknowledged discontent triggered by a circular from the Accrued Wages Commission, which he said has since been withdrawn.

“This is a listening government. We’re now in transparent negotiations to revise allowances and improve health workers’ welfare,” he stated.

In a significant policy shift, Pate announced the centralisation of nurse postings, saying it would promote fairness and equity in workforce distribution nationwide.

The minister concluded by reaffirming President Tinubu’s directive to give equal priority to both infrastructure and workforce welfare under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, aimed at building a resilient and accessible healthcare system for all Nigerians.