The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has warned the Federal Government against introducing a new salary relativity clause that would disproportionately favour physicians over other health professionals, calling it “immoral, unlawful and capable of deepening crisis in the health sector.”
Pharm. Ayuba Ibrahim Tanko, President of PSN, issued the warning in Lagos during the pre-conference briefing of the Society’s 98th Annual National Conference, themed DABO 2025.
He explained that the proposed policy, which could allow doctors to earn up to 1.2 times more than other health workers on the same grade level, risks making other health professions less appealing and could worsen existing divisions in the sector.
Tanko emphasised: “If this is allowed, it becomes meaningless to study any other health course apart from Medicine. The existing collective agreement with the Federal Government is clear — our wages must be parity-based, not relativity-based.”
He traced the origins of salary imbalances back to 1991 during the tenure of the late Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti as Health Minister, when physicians were advanced ahead of other health professionals on the same grade level—a move he said remains the root cause of industrial unrest in the sector.
The PSN president also expressed concern over the increasing exodus of pharmacists, noting that more than 8,200 professionals failed to renew their licences over the past five years, with many opting to work abroad.
He highlighted that pharmacists manage over 97 per cent of hospital patients and called for new allowances that reflect scarce skills, increased workload, and productivity.
Tanko urged the Federal Government to ensure full implementation of the approved Pharmacist Consultant Cadre in all federal and state institutions, stressing that “only PSN and the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, are legally empowered to negotiate the welfare of pharmacists.”
He criticised the Lagos State Government for its delay in implementing the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre, alleging that physician interest groups were responsible for the inaction.
Tanko remarked: “We shall not beg Governor Sanwo-Olu, but we remind him that the countdown to the end of his tenure in May 2027 has begun. We encourage him to be decisively bold and be counted on the positive side of history.”
The PSN president also announced plans to mark the Society’s 100th anniversary in March 2027, describing it as a significant milestone for one of Nigeria’s oldest professional bodies. A committee led by former president Pharm. Olumide Akintayo has been set up to coordinate activities leading to the centenary celebrations.
He further confirmed that the 98th Annual National Conference will hold in Kano, with the theme: “Pharmacy Forward: Building a Future-Ready Workforce for Performance, Collaboration and Transformation.” Prof. Peace Chinedum Babalola, former Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
Tanko concluded by assuring that the PSN will continue to engage government authorities and stakeholders to promote fairness, professionalism, and improved healthcare outcomes for Nigerians.
