Delta salary boost: NGO lauds Oborevwori for raising Doctors’ pay

LAGOS — The Ambrose Agho Empowerment and Welfare Initiative (AAEWI) has commended the Delta State Government for increasing the monthly salaries of medical doctors, describing the move as a bold step towards strengthening healthcare delivery.

AAEWI, a Benin-based non-governmental organisation focused on improving the lives of educationally disadvantaged individuals through advocacy, training, capacity building, and scholarships, gave the commendation in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Information and Communication, Mr Kevin Okunzuwa.

The salary review was earlier announced on March 7 in Asaba by the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, during a press briefing.

Onojaeme disclosed that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori approved a N200,000 increase in doctors’ monthly salaries. In addition, the government introduced a N100,000 tax-free allowance for house officers to enhance welfare and curb the exodus of medical personnel.

With the adjustment, entry-level doctors now earn N570,000 monthly, up from N370,000, while house officers’ pay has risen to over N350,000 from more than N250,000.

The NGO described the initiative as a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to citizens’ wellbeing and improved healthcare delivery.

“We commend this development; it is one clear way to demonstrate that the government is genuinely concerned about the well-being of its citizens,” the statement read.

“A healthy society promotes economic growth and development. This move is a step in the right direction to address Nigeria’s shortage of medical personnel, largely driven by migration in search of better working conditions and pay abroad.”

AAEWI urged other state governments to emulate Delta’s example and called on the Federal Government to take decisive steps to reduce medical tourism.

It cited figures from the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors showing that 18,949 doctors left the country between 2005 and 2024, with 3,974 departures recorded in 2024 alone.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, had also recently disclosed that Nigeria has lost billions of naira due to the migration of doctors.