It is not surprising to see FG rushing to release N11.9bn as angry doctors shut hospitals nationwide, because for many months doctors have cried, begged, and protested for their rights, and government only reacted fast after hospitals across the country went silent.
Today, about 11,000 resident doctors have stopped work in frustration, and patients are stranded in public hospitals. The Federal Government has now promised to pay arrears and allowances within 72 hours, including accoutrement allowance, after pressure reached breaking point.
The Ministry of Health announced that over N11.9bn will be released, and they even pointed to previous payments, like the N10bn released in August and another N21.3bn already moved to payroll. They also reminded the public that thousands of new health workers have been recruited over the last two years to cover brain drain.
This situation is proof that government responds only under fire. It is not about love for the health sector. It is public pressure and fear of chaos.
The Real Story Before The Debate
Resident doctors are angry for a simple reason. Arrears kept piling up. Promises were made and ignored. Salaries were delayed, and allowances that should support training and duty risk were held back. According to the doctors, government owes health workers about N38bn in unpaid allowances.
After repeated warnings, they began a nationwide strike. It forced Nigerians into private hospitals, pharmacies and prayer, because public hospitals could not operate without resident doctors who form the biggest part of the workforce.
Hospitals Empty, Patients Confused
Many hospitals had only consultants walking around. Some tried to help, but they cannot replace thousands of resident doctors. Clinics were closed. Surgeries postponed. Pregnant women turned back. Sick children returned home. Families ran helter-skelter for care they cannot afford privately.
This shows that a health system without fair labour treatment collapses fast. Nigeria cannot joke with doctors and nurses. Without them, buildings and equipment become useless.
It Took Strike For Action
Government now says money is ready, meetings are ongoing, and even a special expert has been hired to negotiate. All these efforts happened after the strike started. That means government knew the problem. They simply did not act until the nation shook.
Why must workers always protest before government respects promises? It happened with lecturers, then nurses, now doctors again.
Nigeria keeps using emergency reactions instead of planning and respect.
Tired Doctors, Tired Nation
Doctors say long working hours and brain drain are killing the system. Government has confirmed over 20,000 health workers were recruited in 2024 and 2025, yet we all know many skilled doctors left the country in the same period for better pay in Europe and the Gulf. A tired doctor cannot save a nation.
This strike reminds us that patriotism alone cannot treat patients. People need fair pay and respect.
Public Opinion Matters Too
Some angry citizens say doctors should not strike because lives are involved. But those same citizens go to private clinics in emergencies. They have seen the empty state of public hospitals.
Even if emotions are high, fairness must exist. Who will continue to treat patients on empty stomachs and delayed pay?
At the same time, government must communicate clearly and stop waiting for tension to explode.
Nigeria Needs A Working Healthcare Vision
Beyond money, Nigeria needs strategy. We cannot continue like this:
•Delays before paying workers
•Rushed announcements only during crisis
•Poor planning for brain drain
•Same fight every year
Will we still be here again next year begging doctors? That is the real question.
The health of a nation should not depend on last-minute panic payments.
