The Federal Government has provided fresh clarification on its ongoing standoff with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), attributed the impasse to structural and policy constraints rather than government neglect, while underscoring a ₦90 billion annual increase in health workers’ allowances as proof of its commitment to industrial harmony.
The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the disclosure on Tuesday during an interview on the AIT Kaakaki programme, where he outlined measures taken by the Federal Government to address the concerns of resident doctors and curb recurrent industrial actions in the health sector.
Dr. Salako said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare places high priority on sustaining industrial peace and ensuring uninterrupted healthcare delivery. He explained that while government recognised the need for improved remuneration for health workers, such demands must be balanced against competing national responsibilities in education, security and infrastructure, within the limits of available revenue.
According to him, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demonstrated this commitment in November 2025 with the approval of an upward review of professional allowances for health workers, which added nearly ₦90 billion annually to government expenditure. The revised allowances include call duty, shift duty, non-clinical duty and rural posting allowances, following negotiations involving all health professional groups.
The Minister noted that previous negotiations were often fragmented, with different professional groups engaging the government separately, leading to conflicting agreements on pay parity and relativity, and triggering repeated strikes. To resolve this, he said the Ministry adopted a collective bargaining framework that brought doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists and other health workers to the negotiating table together.
On NARD’s demands, Dr. Salako revealed that the association’s requests had reduced from 19 to nine, signalling progress in discussions. However, he explained that some outstanding demands are constrained by existing civil service rules and approved schemes of service.
Addressing the demand for a specialist allowance for resident doctors, the Minister clarified that residents are specialists-in-training, adding that current regulations reserve specialist allowances for consultants. He disclosed that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission advised against extending the allowance to resident doctors, warning that it could open the door to similar claims from other health workers undergoing specialist training.
Dr. Salako also dismissed allegations of government inaction on certification issues, explaining that the National Postgraduate Medical College does not issue certificates after Part I examinations, a policy beyond the Ministry’s control.
On the controversy surrounding the disengagement of five resident doctors in Lokoja, the Minister said the cases stemmed from established civil service disciplinary procedures. He revealed that a ministerial review committee had recommended the reinstatement of two doctors, reprimand for two others, and a fresh disciplinary hearing for one, in line with due process.
While acknowledging public frustration over frequent strikes, Dr. Salako noted that industrial actions by doctors are not unique to Nigeria, citing similar disputes in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and other stakeholders, remains committed to sustained dialogue aimed at stabilising the health sector, ensuring industrial harmony and preventing future disruptions to healthcare services.
