Kogi Governor Approves N300,000 Monthly Allowance for Doctors in Kogi

BY Bamidele Atoyebi
September 30, 2025
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Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has approved the payment of a monthly N300,000 allowance to medical doctors working in state-owned hospitals as part of efforts to tackle the shortage of healthcare professionals caused by the mass migration trend known as japa.

The governor made the announcement during a meeting with members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Lokoja, assuring that his administration is committed to improving healthcare delivery and retaining skilled personnel in the state.

Ododo explained that the decision was informed by the growing number of doctors leaving the country for better opportunities abroad, which has put immense pressure on state health facilities.

“We cannot afford to lose our doctors at a time when our people need quality healthcare the most. This allowance is not just an incentive but a demonstration of our resolve to prioritize health and the welfare of those who provide it,” he said.

The governor also revealed that additional incentives would be extended to other categories of healthcare workers, including nurses and pharmacists, to ensure holistic improvement of the sector.

State Chairman of the NMA, Dr Emmanuel Kelvin, commended the gesture, describing it as a timely intervention that would motivate doctors and encourage more professionals to remain in service within the state.

“This decision will go a long way in boosting morale and strengthening healthcare delivery across Kogi.

We urge the government to sustain this commitment and extend similar measures to other health workers,” he stated.

The governor used the occasion to reiterate his administration’s plan to upgrade medical facilities, enhance training opportunities for health workers, and expand access to healthcare across rural communities.

Observers say the allowance places Kogi among the few states in Nigeria offering special welfare packages to medical personnel to cushion the effects of migration, rising inflation, and the increasing cost of living.