Nigerian Medical Association

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is the professional association of Nigerian medical doctors. The NMA has more than 35,000 members from 36 state branches and Abuja, including those registered in the diaspora. The NMA was established in 1951 and has its headquarters in Abuja, and over 30 state branch offices throughout Nigeria. NMA's membership spans all six major specialties of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Public Health and Laboratory Medicine/Pathology.

Distribution of members
According to experts, about 45% of Nigerian doctors practice in urban areas where only 55% of the population lives. This creates an unbalanced doctor-patient ratio which is one of the challenges of the Nigerian health system that the association and the Federal Government are trying to address.

Governance
The National Executive Council (NEC) is the governing body of the NMA and has full powers to act on its behalf in the period between at the Annual Delegates' Meetings and also make policy decisions.