The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), FCT chapter, has clashed with the management of the National Hospital, Abuja, over the alleged unlawful dismissal of three medical consultants. The NMA accuses the hospital of injustice, favouritism, and casualisation, claiming the affected doctors were long-serving consultants promised full employment but were abruptly removed without due process, despite being included in the 2025 budget payroll.
The hospital, however, denies any dismissals, stating the doctors were locum staff—temporary hires on six-month renewable contracts—and not formally employed. They argue that no misconduct was established and that their contracts simply ended.
The NMA rejected this explanation, maintaining that the doctors had served for three to five years, had completed their training, and were placed on lower salary grades despite their qualifications. The association views their removal as administrative abuse and systemic injustice, particularly when new consultants—some trained by the dismissed doctors—were hired in their place.
NMA FCT Vice Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Nasiru, revealed that multiple appeals, meetings, and high-level interventions had failed. He described the situation as the worst case of impunity in the hospital’s history, asserting that doctors who remained during COVID-19 are now being unfairly treated while others with influential backing are favoured.
He stressed that the NMA has issued a 14-day ultimatum, demanding the reversal of the doctors’ exit or facing a total and indefinite strike at the hospital from June 30, 2025. If unresolved within a week after the strike begins, it will be extended to all government-owned health facilities in the FCT.
“This is not just about these three doctors. It is about fairness, justice, and protecting the integrity of the medical profession,” Nasiru said. He condemned the long-term use of locum contracts beyond the legally acceptable period without formalisation, calling it a violation of civil service rules.
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The NMA urged the Federal Government to intervene, with Nasiru warning, “This is not the renewal agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His agenda promotes merit and fairness, not favouritism and injustice. We are fighting for fairness, and we will not back down until the right thing is done.”
