The Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated two high-level ministerial committees to address long-standing disputes in the health sector, including excessive work hours, locum engagement practices, and residency training certification issues.

The announcement was made in a statement by Mr. Alaba Balogun, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The committees were inaugurated by Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, as part of broader efforts to reform the healthcare system, safeguard the welfare of health workers, and ensure patient safety.

Dr. Salako noted that industrial tensions have persisted over prolonged work hours, uneven locum engagement, and certification concerns for resident doctors, often triggering strikes and disrupting services.

The first committee, the Ministerial Committee on Work Hour Regulation and Locum Engagement Policy, will focus on excessive duty schedules and inconsistent locum practices in public hospitals, which pose risks to both staff and patients.

He highlighted Nigeria’s vulnerability amid a global shortage of healthcare professionals, citing World Health Organization estimates projecting a global health workforce gap of up to 11 million by 2030, with Nigeria heavily impacted by migration to Europe, North America, and other developed nations.

“In the last 21 months, the Federal Government has taken steps to strengthen the health workforce, including implementing the Health Workforce Migration Policy, reducing bureaucratic barriers to employment, improving remuneration, and expanding training quotas,” Salako said.

According to the Minister, 14,444 health workers were employed in 2024, while 23,059 were approved in 2025, with over 70% being clinical staff.