The Federal Government has attributed the ongoing strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to structural and policy challenges within the health sector, rather than neglect by the administration.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, stated this on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mr. Alaba Balogun.
Salako said the government has demonstrated its commitment to improving the welfare of health workers through a range of reforms, including the review of professional allowances valued at about ₦90 billion annually. He said the allowances, approved in November 2025, cover call duty, shift duty, non-clinical duty, and rural posting, and were jointly negotiated with all health professional groups.
“Past negotiations were often fragmented, with different health professional groups engaging the government separately, resulting in conflicting agreements on pay parity and relativity, and triggering repeated industrial actions,” he said.
The minister explained that the current administration has adopted a collective bargaining approach to promote inclusiveness, ensure fairness, and reduce industrial disputes in the health sector.
While reiterating the government’s commitment to improving healthcare workers’ remuneration, Salako noted that such reviews must be balanced against competing national priorities, including education, security, and infrastructure development.
He added that NARD’s list of demands has been reduced from 19 to nine items, describing this as a positive development in the ongoing negotiations.
On the issue of specialist allowances, Salako said resident doctors remain specialists-in-training and that the allowance is reserved for consultants. He noted that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission had warned that extending the allowance could lead to similar claims from other workers undergoing specialist training.
Addressing concerns over delays in certification, the minister said the National Postgraduate Medical College does not issue certificates after Part I examinations and that the Ministry lacks the authority to override this policy.
On the disengagement of five resident doctors in Lokoja, Salako said the action followed established civil service disciplinary procedures. He added that a ministerial review panel subsequently recommended the reinstatement of two doctors, the reprimand of two others, and a fresh hearing for one.
Salako assured Nigerians that the Ministry of Health, working with the Ministry of Labour and other relevant stakeholders, remains committed to sustained dialogue aimed at stabilising the health sector and preventing further disruptions to healthcare delivery.
NARD represents doctors undergoing postgraduate training in teaching hospitals across the country, who frequently advocate improved working conditions, timely payment of allowances, and pay parity with other health professionals.
