The Federal Government has approved the payment of a N50,000 annual ward coat allowance for pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists and other allied health professionals working in 71 federal tertiary health institutions across the country.
The approval, which takes effect from June 1, 2026, was communicated in a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare following authorisation by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
The circular, dated July 15, 2026, was signed by the Director of Teaching Hospitals, Dr Okpikpi Okpako, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.
According to the ministry, the approval followed a request by the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, which had sought the introduction of a ward coat allowance for its members.
The ministry directed chief medical directors and medical directors of the affected federal hospitals to begin immediate implementation of the allowance through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System.
Beneficiaries include pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, radiographers, optometrists, dieticians, nutritionists, dental therapists, dental technologists, prosthetic technologists, medical physicists, medical social workers, health information officers, audiologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, clinical psychologists, medical laboratory technologists, as well as EEG and ECG technologists.
The circular, however, clarified that only 71 federal health institutions are covered under the current approval, while 12 others will be included after the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission completes verification of staff records submitted by the affected facilities.
Hospital managements were also directed to ensure full compliance with the implementation guidelines in line with the commission’s approved list.
The ward coat allowance has been one of the long-standing welfare demands of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, which argued that its members face occupational risks while providing clinical services but had not enjoyed similar allowances granted to some other categories of health workers.
The approval comes as the Federal Government continues efforts to improve welfare and retain skilled health professionals amid the growing migration of doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other healthcare workers seeking better opportunities abroad.
Stakeholders believe the introduction of the allowance, though modest, represents recognition of the vital contributions of allied health professionals to patient care and the nation’s healthcare system.