The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), on Tuesday, renewed call for the Federal Government to reinstate five doctors sacked by the management of Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Kogi State.
The sacked doctors were allegedly dismissed in October 2024 as well as in May and August 2025 by the management of the teaching hospital led by former Chief Medical Director, Dr Olatunde Alabi.
The affected doctors were reportedly sacked for their involvement in union activities against the hospital management.
Addressing a press conference in Lokoja, NARD President, Dr. Muhammed Usman Suleiman, noted that the sacked doctors have been out of work for over a year.
Suleiman recalled that the NARD had during its recent 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM), gave the Federal Government a 30-day deadline to meet a series of outstanding welfare and policy demands affecting its members.
“Today is the 18th day of the 30-day ultimatum that NARD gave to the Federal Government to implement our demands, among which is the reinstatement of five doctors sacked at FTH Lokoja.
“NARD’s demands include the reinstatement of the sacked doctors, payment of unpaid promotion and salary arrears dating back to five years, unpaid 25 and 35 per cent increment and entitlements,” he said.
He emphasised that Nigeria was facing crisis in the health sector, with a ratio of one doctor servicing over 9,000 Nigerians, compared to the standard ratio of one doctor to 600 people.
Suleiman stressed that the federal government must be holistic in its approach to addressing the issues in the health sector.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to take urgent action, warning that if the situation was not addressed, it might result to a national disaster.
Suleiman further expressed NARD’s readiness to engage in dialogue with the federal government to resolve the issues raised in their demands.
“We need sacked doctors back to reduce work loads in the hospital. We informed Nigerians about doctors’ plight.
“NARD is ready to discuss with federal government to reinstate the sacked doctors,” he said.
Suleiman stressed the need for the continuation of the ongoing dialogue between the federal government and Nigerian doctors as well as other health workers without further delay.
“That is the only way to curb brain drain. “NARD is saying ‘enough is enough,'” he emphasised.
