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Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi plays an important role in Northern Nigeria’s healthcare system. Like any other growing hospital, staff, fresh graduates, and medical professionals always ask, ‘How much does ATBUTH pay?’
Knowing the salary range helps in career development, and because the institution is owned by the federal government, ATBUTH operates on the public service salary system, called CONMESS and CONHESS which is the same for all federally owned teaching hospitals in Nigeria.
In this post, the ATBUTH salary range is detailed and categorized for all staff, which includes medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other support staff as well as consultants.
ATBUTH Salary Overview (CONMESS and CONHESS)
ATBUTH does not just set salary rates as they see fit; every federal government hospital in Nigeria has to follow the salary guidelines established by the Federal Government via the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and two dominant salary frameworks. The frameworks are:
- Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS): This is solely for medical and dental doctors.
- Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS): This applies to all other health professionals, such as nurses, midwives, pharmacists, and medical labs.
ATBUTH Salary Structure for Medical Doctors (CONMESS)
The CONMESS scale is graded, with each level corresponding to a rank and years of experience. The following table outlines the estimated monthly basic salary for medical doctors at ATBUTH.
| Rank | CONMESS Level | Estimated Monthly Basic Salary (₦) |
| Intern Doctor (Housemanship) | CONMESS 1 | ₦200,000 – ₦250,000 |
| Medical Officer (After NYSC) | CONMESS 2 | ₦280,000 – ₦350,000 |
| Registrar (Resident Doctor) | CONMESS 3 | ₦380,000 – ₦450,000 |
| Senior Registrar | CONMESS 4 | ₦450,000 – ₦550,000 |
| Principal Registrar | CONMESS 5 | ₦550,000 – ₦650,000 |
| Chief Registrar / Consultant | CONMESS 6 / 7 | ₦750,000 – ₦1,200,000 |
| Chief Medical Director | Special Scale | ₦1,500,000 and above |
Important Note: These figures represent the basic salary only. The total take-home pay is significantly higher due to various allowances, which we will detail later.
ATBUTH Salary Structure for Nurses & Other Health Professionals (CONHESS)
Nurses and other health workers at ATBUTH are placed on the CONHESS scale. This structure also operates on a graded system with steps within each grade level.
| Position | CONHESS Level | Estimated Monthly Basic Salary (₦) |
| Intern Nurse / Pharmacist / Scientist | CONHESS 1 | ₦150,000 – ₦180,000 |
| Staff Nurse / Junior Pharmacist | CONHESS 7 | ₦180,000 – ₦220,000 |
| Senior Nurse / Pharmacist | CONHESS 8 | ₦250,000 – ₦320,000 |
| Principal Nurse / Chief Pharmacist | CONHESS 9 | ₦350,000 – ₦450,000 |
| Assistant Director of Nursing | CONHESS 10 | ₦450,000 – ₦550,000 |
| Deputy Director | CONHESS 13 | ₦600,000 – ₦750,000 |
| Director of Services | CONHESS 14 | ₦800,000 – ₦1,000,000 |
Allowances and Benefits at ATBUTH
A large part of what ATBUTH staff take home is the result of the allowances. These are meant to mitigate the impact of certain job hazards, additional duties, and professional responsibilities. While the basic salary is fixed according to the grade level, the salary variations are due to the allowances.
- Specialist Allowance: This is assigned to medical doctors who completed the residency and are certified consultants. This is a percentage of the basic salary.
- Hazard Allowances: An essential allowance for all health works, it mitigates exposure to kin hazards of the disease and other health profession occupational dangers.
- Duty Call/Shift Duty Allowances: These are for clinical staff who work during the odd hours, weekends, and public holidays. These are adjusted according to the professional cadre and the frequency of calls.
- Clinician Clinical Allowances: This is for health professionals who are directly charged with the clinical patient care responsibilities.
- Rural Posting Allowances: This is for staff who are assigned to rural or underserviced ATBUTH outreach centers.
- Uniform Allowances: These are for nurses and other professionals who are required to wear certain uniforms.
Benefits
Aside from the stated allowances, ATBUTH offers other benefits. These take your complete compensation package to another level.
- Pension Scheme: As a federal institution, ATBUTH operates under the Contributory Pension Scheme, where both the employer and employee contribute a percentage of the employee’s salary towards their retirement fund.
- National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS): Employees and their registered dependents have access to healthcare services through the NHIS, reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses.
- Training and Development: ATBUTH is a teaching hospital, providing numerous opportunities for continuous professional development, residency training, and specialized courses, which can lead to career advancement and higher pay.
- Leave and Vacation: Staff are entitled to annual leave, sick leave, and maternity/paternity leave as stipulated by federal public service rules.
Conclusion
Working at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital offers a structured and predictable career path with a compensation package governed by federal guidelines. The salary structure, primarily defined by CONMESS and CONHESS scales, ensures that remuneration is tied to qualifications, role, and experience. The addition of various allowances and benefits like health insurance, a pension scheme, and training opportunities makes the overall package competitive within the Nigerian public health sector. For anyone looking to build a career in healthcare, ATBUTH provides a stable and rewarding environment.
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