Business
Ebonyi governor increases new doctors’ salaries to N500,000 monthly
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has approved a significant increase in the salaries and allowances of newly recruited medical doctors in the state’s public health sector—from N150,000 to N500,000 per month.
The governor made the announcement in Abakaliki during the official launch of the state’s health activation programme, a prelude to the implementation of the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) scheme. The event also featured the commissioning of newly acquired hospital equipment valued at several billions of naira.
Governor Nwifuru said the decision to raise the doctors’ pay followed public feedback and internal assessments showing the inadequacy of their previous earnings.
“I saw a post on social media highlighting the insufficiency of the N150,000 salary for doctors. After circulating questionnaires and reviewing the findings, it became clear that action was necessary,” Nwifuru said.
He pointed to the rising cost of living and transportation, especially for doctors posted in remote areas like Ivo Local Government Area. According to him, doctors in such locations spend heavily on fuel, requiring up to 20 litres per day—an expense that adds up quickly over a month.
“I understand the sacrifices medical doctors make. I once aspired to become a doctor myself, but I struggled with organic chemistry and had to change course,” he joked, before affirming his commitment to their welfare. “Doctors deserve more. Henceforth, newly recruited doctors will earn a minimum of N500,000 monthly.”
To further ease their burden, the governor encouraged doctors to make use of government-provided accommodation in various local government areas, which he said would reduce living expenses and minimize distractions.
He also instructed the Commissioner for Health to accelerate the completion of residential quarters for health workers and ensure the facilities are habitable.
In response, Dr. Moses Ekuma, the Commissioner for Health, commended the governor for the gesture and the procurement of advanced medical equipment. He pledged that the equipment would be optimally deployed to enhance healthcare delivery across the state.
Mrs. Jioke Chinwendu, Executive Secretary of the State Drug Management Agency, assured that her agency would ensure the consistent supply of essential drugs to health facilities, in line with the objectives of the DRF scheme.