The Federal Government has explained why it has been unable to meet some of the demands by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), amid renewed threats of industrial action by the group.
The explanation was given on Tuesday by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, in a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr Alaba Balogun.
Salako said the government has demonstrated commitment to improving the welfare of health workers through recent reforms, including an upward review of professional allowances estimated at about ₦90 billion annually.
According to him, the revised allowances—covering call duty, shift duty, non-clinical duty and rural posting—were approved in November 2025 after collective negotiations involving all health professional groups.
He noted that past negotiations were often held separately with different professional bodies, leading to conflicting agreements on pay parity and relativity, which frequently triggered industrial actions. The minister said the current administration has adopted a collective bargaining framework to promote inclusiveness and reduce disputes.
While reaffirming the government’s commitment to better remuneration for healthcare workers, Salako stressed that such reviews must be balanced against other national priorities, including education, security and infrastructure development.
On NARD’s current demands, the minister disclosed that the association’s list had been reduced from 19 to nine items, describing the development as a positive step in ongoing negotiations. However, he explained that some of the remaining demands are limited by existing public service rules and approved schemes of service.
Addressing the demand for a specialist allowance for resident doctors, Salako said resident doctors are specialists-in-training and that the allowance is presently reserved for consultants, in line with established regulations. He added that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission had warned that extending the allowance could trigger similar demands from other categories of workers undergoing specialist training.
On complaints over delays in certification, the minister clarified that the National Postgraduate Medical College does not issue certificates after Part I examinations and that the Ministry of Health lacks the authority to alter the institution’s policy.
Salako also addressed the recent disengagement of five resident doctors in Lokoja, explaining that the action followed due civil service disciplinary procedures. He revealed that a ministerial review panel has recommended the reinstatement of two doctors, reprimand 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 sustained dialogue aimed at stabilising the health sector and preventing disruptions to healthcare services.
NARD represents resident doctors undergoing postgraduate training in teaching hospitals across the country and has a history of industrial actions over issues such as welfare, timely payment of allowances and pay parity with other health professionals.
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