The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has rejected assertions by the Federal Ministry of Labour that significant headway has been achieved in resolving the union’s demands, calling the claims deceptive and incorrect.
In statement issued on Thursday, NARD disclosed that, it was “profoundly disappointed” by a press release circulated by the labour ministry officials on November 19, which suggested that a “high percentage” of the doctors’ grievances had been resolved.
The association outlined that the ministry’s account did not reflect the reality of its negotiations with the government or the conditions that led to the ongoing nationwide strike.
According to the association, a detailed review carried out during its Extraordinary National Executive Council, NEC, meeting on November 17 showed that “not a single one” of its 19 core demands had been fully met despite the ministry’s contrary claims.
NARD claimed that what government officials describe as progress amounted largely to promises, pending approvals and newly constituted committees, patterns that the association said have characterised previous unfulfilled commitments.
The association challenged the ministry’s assertion that payment of the 25%/35% CONMESS review and 2024 accoutrement allowances had commenced up to December 2024. NARD disclosed that, none of its members across the country had received such payments, adding that statements about reconciling omissions amounted to acknowledgements of unresolved problems.
“An announcement of intent is not a substitute for a credited salary,” the group said.
NARD also disapproved the ministry’s statement that issues such as specialist allowances and arrears owed to doctors in federal institutions, including Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, FMC Owo, and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, were being “compiled” for submission to the budget office. After years of dialogue, the association said it was unacceptable that the government was “still at the stage of compiling lists.”
On welfare concerns, NARD faulted the setting up of committees to address manpower shortages, casualisation of doctors, and the disengagement of its members at FTH Lokoja. It described such committees as bureaucratic tools that often lead to indefinite delays.
The group reiterated its demand for the immediate reinstatement of the disengaged doctors in Lokoja and full implementation of a one-for-one replacement policy to address shortages and burnout in hospitals.
The association outlined that it declined to sign a proposed Memorandum of Understanding because the document lacked clear timelines and guarantees of implementation.
“We refuse to sign any MoU built on unfulfilled promises,” NARD said. “An MoU that does not guarantee immediate and verifiable action is not worth the paper it is written on.”
NARD reiterated that the nationwide, total, and indefinite strike that began on November 1 would continue until its minimum demands are met. These include: ”Reinstatement of the five doctors disengaged at FTH Lokoja with full compensation; immediate payment of reviewed allowances and all outstanding arrears; concrete implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy and specialist allowances and resolution of other pending issues previously communicated to government.”
The association said it found it “ironic” that the ministry accused it of failing to respect labour laws, despite what it described as repeated violations of agreed timelines by the government.
While reaffirming its willingness to continue meaningful engagement, NARD urged the government to prioritise concrete action over “misleading press statements.”
“The health of our nation is in the balance,” the statement read. “The responsibility to restore stability lies squarely with the government.”
The statement was signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, respectively.
