The Federal Government has commenced the payment of long-standing salary arrears owed to resident doctors under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has confirmed.

In a statement issued by its Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim, the association disclosed that disbursement of the arrears has already begun, with several members confirming receipt of payments.

“The leadership of NARD is pleased to inform members that payment of the outstanding CONMESS review arrears has commenced,” Ibrahim said. “The arrears cover between one and six months for affected doctors.”

He, however, noted that while progress has been made, some components of the payment—particularly those related to August—may face slight delays due to administrative issues. “Payments for August are currently facing a few challenges being addressed. As a result, that portion may be delayed by about one to two weeks,” he explained.

The association urged members who are yet to receive their payments to remain patient, assuring them that the process is ongoing and would be completed in due course. Ibrahim also advised doctors experiencing unresolved payment issues after the disbursement period to report through their respective centre leaders for prompt intervention.

The CONMESS salary adjustment has been a recurring source of dispute between doctors and the government, with delays in implementation previously triggering industrial actions by resident doctors. Healthcare workers have consistently raised concerns over welfare challenges, including unpaid salaries, poor working conditions, and the increasing migration of medical professionals abroad in search of better opportunities. Industry observers warn that the continued loss of skilled personnel has further strained Nigeria’s healthcare system, worsening the doctor-to-patient ratio.