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NMA debunks bribery allegation against doctors
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has debunked the bribery allegation leveled against medical doctors, saying it upholds ethical and professional standards to strengthen public trust in the medical profession.
Dr Babajide Saheed, Chairman, NMA Lagos Zone, said this in a statement in, Lagos, yesterday.
Saheed said this while reacting to an online publication that ‘two-third of Nigerian doctors and nurses demand bribes before attending to patients.”
He noted that the online media publication claimed to have drawn the report from a recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) titled, “Corruption in Nigeria: Pattern and Trends.”
“If the reporter had done due diligence, he/she would have realised that the respondents-based national survey of 33,035 households in the 36 States and FCT reported 4 per cent requests by or payments of bribes among doctors, nurses and midwives cluster.
“Despite having some reservations about the professionals’ clustering of doctors, nurses and midwives in the survey, we are still at a loss as to where the reporter got his or her two-third quoted figure.
“A whooping 67 per cent instead of the four per cent reported in the referenced NBS report.
“While we pledge to continue to give our best to our esteemed patients, we however frown at any attempt to malign our hardworking and ever-sacrificing members,” he said.
He warned that NMA would not hesitate to use lawful means to seek redress on perceived damage to the noble profession.
The Chairman commended the efforts of NBS and its collaboration with the United Nations office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) to stamp corruption out of Nigeria and the courage in publishing the third corruption survey.
Saheed noted that it was heartwarming that the survey reported in a section that more than 70 per cent of respondents in the survey refused to pay bribes demanded by public officials.
“Meaning that Nigerians are increasingly empowered to confront and decline requests from bribe-seeking corrupt officials to do their work,” he said.
Saheed emphasised that the medical practitioners’ community and its regulatory body – Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) have a robust disciplinary process for erring members and would not condone misconduct from its members.
According to Saheed, the NMA Lagos continues to hold the generality of the Nigerian media in high esteem and would not like to join issues with any section of the revered fourth estates of the realm.
He, therefore, demanded that the maligning and misleading online report be pulled down by its publisher.
The Chairman emphasised that Nigerian doctors were among the most sought-after healthcare practitioners in the world.
“Our work ethic is still top-notch despite the overwhelming workload caused by a grossly disproportionate doctor-to-patient ratio, exacerbated by abysmal remuneration and poor facilities,” he said.
Saheed added that these factors had led to an exodus of its members seeking greener pastures.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene