The Director-General of BATMEDICS, Pharm. Ojeje Amin Onimisi, on Thursday congratulated health workers on the Federal Government payroll after the commencement of payment of 19 months of arrears owed under the Professional Allowance Table (PAT).
In a press statement, Onimisi also commended the leadership and members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), crediting their sustained advocacy for helping to advance the settlement of the long-outstanding arrears.
The Federal Government has approved ₦143 billion to cover arrears under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS). Payments have now begun, according to the statement.
Onimisi praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare for what he described as leadership and commitment to addressing the welfare concerns of health workers.
He also welcomed an agreement under which the retroactive PAT arrears for January 2026 will be paid alongside November salaries.
“Health workers are essential to the wellbeing of our people and the strength of our health system,” Onimisi said. “Honouring their entitlements is an important step towards building a more responsive and sustainable healthcare sector.”
He described the development as a significant milestone for health workers across the Federal Government payroll.
Health worker pay has been a recurring source of tension between the Federal Government and medical unions in Nigeria, with associations such as NARD repeatedly pressing for the settlement of outstanding allowances and arrears.
