WHY SOME RESIDENT DOCTORS’ DEMANDS CANNOT BE MET – FG
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Federal Government has clarified why it has been unable to meet some demands that have prompted threats of industrial action by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
Speaking on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, outlined the government’s position in a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Alaba Balogun.
Dr. Salako highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to improving healthcare workers’ welfare through recent reforms, including the upward review of professional allowances estimated at about ₦90 billion annually. The revised allowances, covering call duty, shift duty, non-clinical duty, and rural posting, were approved in November 2025 following collective negotiations with all health professional groups.
The minister explained that previous negotiations were often conducted separately with different professional groups, leading to conflicting agreements on pay parity and relativity, which frequently triggered industrial actions. The current administration has adopted a collective bargaining framework to promote inclusiveness and minimise disputes.
Salako noted that while the government is committed to better remuneration for healthcare workers, salary reviews must be balanced with other national priorities such as education, security, and infrastructure.
On NARD’s current demands, the minister revealed that the association had reduced its list from 19 to nine items, describing this as a positive step in ongoing discussions. However, he cautioned that some demands are constrained by existing public service rules and approved schemes of service.
Regarding the call for a specialist allowance for resident doctors, Salako explained that residents are specialists-in-training, and the allowance is currently designated for consultants in line with established regulations. He added that extending the allowance could lead to similar demands from other categories of workers undergoing specialist training, according to the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission.
On concerns about delays in certification, the minister clarified that the National Postgraduate Medical College does not issue certificates after Part I examinations and that the Ministry has no authority to override the institution’s policy.
Addressing the disengagement of five resident doctors in Lokoja, Salako said the action followed civil service disciplinary procedures. A ministerial review panel has recommended reinstatement for two doctors, reprimands for two others, and a fresh hearing for one.
The minister assured Nigerians that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and other stakeholders, remains committed to continuous dialogue to stabilise the health sector and prevent disruptions to healthcare services.
NARD represents resident doctors undergoing postgraduate training in teaching hospitals nationwide and frequently engages in industrial action to demand improved working conditions, timely payment of allowances, and pay parity with other health professionals.
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