By Peter Omopo
Presidency Moves to Restore Services in Public Hospitals as NARD Insists on Demands
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to take all necessary and lawful measures to end the indefinite strike by members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which began on Saturday and has crippled activities in many federal and state hospitals across the country.
The directive was announced on Monday in Abuja by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, who said the President had issued a clear mandate to resolve the dispute and restore normalcy in the healthcare system.
“Mr President has expressly directed that we do everything possible and legitimate to ensure that the resident doctors return to their duty posts as soon as possible,” Salako said during a press briefing.
Apologising to Nigerians affected by the industrial action, Salako explained that the Federal Government had been in continuous engagement with NARD’s leadership to address their 19-point list of demands, which include unpaid allowances, poor working conditions, and irregular promotions.
According to the minister, the dispute partly originated from a July 2023 circular by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which created disparities among health workers. The circular, he noted, was later withdrawn, and a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process was launched in August to unify negotiations involving all major health unions — including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
“Progress has been made despite some disagreements over pay relativity and the creation of non-doctor consultant positions,” Salako said. “We even engaged an external industrial relations expert, and most of the 19 issues raised by NARD are already being addressed.”
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government had released ₦21.3 billion to settle outstanding arrears and allowances, with about 60 per cent of resident doctors already paid. An additional ₦11.9 billion was being processed, while another ₦20 billion had earlier been disbursed through the Medical Residency Training Fund.
He also highlighted efforts to tackle workforce shortages, revealing that 14,444 health workers — including 3,064 resident doctors — were recruited in 2024, and another 23,059 personnel were being hired in 2025.
To further motivate health professionals, President Tinubu has approved an increase in the retirement age for clinical staff from 60 to 65 years.
Addressing one of NARD’s core demands, Salako clarified that medical and dental house officers could not be placed on the civil service scheme because they were interns on temporary, 12-month appointments.
“They are not regular staff and cannot be placed on pensionable employment,” he explained.
On the contentious issue of non-medical consultant cadres, Salako said it predated the current administration but assured that it would be resolved through dialogue.
The minister also confirmed that a three-man review committee had been established to investigate the dismissal of five resident doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, adding that three of them had already been cleared for reinstatement.
Reaffirming the government’s preference for dialogue, Salako appealed to the striking doctors to return to work.
“Industrial peace cannot be achieved through confrontation,” he said. “We value our health workers, and Mr President especially values the resident doctors. If it were possible, we would pay them ₦50 million monthly because no one can truly quantify their service.”
He further revealed that doctors in public service currently earn about 50 per cent more than other health professionals, emphasising that the government remains committed to their welfare despite current economic challenges.
However, the doctors’ union remains adamant. In a joint statement, NARD President Dr. Muhammad Suleiman and other executives maintained that their demands were neither new nor excessive but essential for a functioning healthcare system.
“NARD’s 19 legitimate demands represent the minimum requirements for a sustainable healthcare system and the restoration of dignity to medical practice in Nigeria,” the statement read, decrying poor work conditions and the continued mass emigration of doctors.
In the Federal Capital Territory, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA) vowed to continue its own strike until all outstanding arrears and welfare concerns were fully addressed.
Its President, Dr. George Ebong, alleged that several doctors employed since 2023 had yet to be paid and that new recruits were being offered lower salary scales.
“Our situation in the FCTA is peculiar,” Ebong said. “Even if NARD suspends its strike today, we will continue ours until our demands are met.”
He urged FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to intervene decisively, warning that bureaucratic bottlenecks were undermining his earlier approvals.
“We can’t fix the medical system on the pages of newspapers,” Ebong said. “We are ready to work, but we can’t give what we don’t have.”
As negotiations continue, public hospitals across the country remain overwhelmed, with patients left stranded and emergency services operating at minimal capacity.
