Resident Doctors Fault Labour Ministry’s Claims, Say Strike Continues

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has rejected claims by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment that significant progress has been made toward resolving the doctors’ grievances, describing the ministry’s statements as “misleading” and “not reflective of reality.”

NARD, in a statement on Thursday, said it was “profoundly disappointed” by a November 19 press release from the ministry, which suggested that a “high percentage” of the association’s demands had already been addressed.

The statement signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim, noted that a review of negotiations conducted during its Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting on November 17 showed that “not a single one” of its 19 major demands had been fully met.

The association said the ministry’s claims amounted to little more than promises, pending approvals, and newly formed committees, a pattern it noted has characterised years of unfulfilled government commitments.

The doctors also faulted the ministry’s assertion that payment of the 25 per cent/35 per cent CONMESS review and 2024 accoutrement allowances had begun. NARD insisted that none of its members nationwide had received these payments, adding that government references to “ongoing reconciliation” only confirmed that issues remained unresolved.

“An announcement of intent is not a substitute for a credited salary,” the association said.

NARD further criticised the ministry for stating that arrears owed to doctors, including those at FTH Lokoja, FMC Owo and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, were being “compiled” for submission to the budget office. After years of engagement, the association said it was unacceptable that government was “still at the stage of compiling lists.

On welfare issues, NARD dismissed newly formed committees on manpower shortages, casualisation, and the disengagement of its members at FTH Lokoja as bureaucratic mechanisms that often lead to indefinite delays. The group reiterated its demand for the immediate reinstatement of the affected doctors and full implementation of a one-for-one replacement policy to address staffing gaps in hospitals.

The association also explained that it declined to sign a proposed Memorandum of Understanding because the document contained no firm timelines or guarantees of implementation.

“We refuse to sign any MoU built on unfulfilled promises. An MoU that does not guarantee immediate and verifiable action is not worth the paper it is written on,” NARD said.

NARD reaffirmed that its nationwide, total, and indefinite strike, which began on November 1, will continue until its minimum demands were met. These include the reinstatement of the five disengaged doctors in Lokoja; immediate payment of reviewed allowances and outstanding arrears; implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy; payment of specialist allowances; and resolution of other pending issues previously communicated to government.

The association said it was “ironic” for the ministry to accuse it of breaching labour laws when, according to NARD, the government had repeatedly failed to meet agreed timelines.

While expressing readiness for continued dialogue, NARD urged the government to prioritise concrete action over “misleading press statements.”

“The health of our nation is in the balance, The responsibility to restore stability lies squarely with the government,” the statement added.