FG breaks silence on resident doctors’ dispute, blames legal barriers not neglect

The Federal Government has clarified that the ongoing dispute with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) stems from long-standing structural and policy limitations, rather than neglect or indifference to the welfare of health workers.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the State House, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, says the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to industrial harmony but must operate within the constraints of civil service regulations and limited national revenue.

According to Salako, while the government recognises the need for improved remuneration for health workers, such decisions must be balanced against competing national priorities, including education, security, and infrastructure development.

“The current standoff is driven by structural and policy issues rather than neglect. While the government would welcome significant pay increases for health workers, it must weigh these demands alongside its responsibilities to other critical sectors,” he said.

The Minister further disclosed that an upward review of health workers’ professional allowances approved in November 2025 has added nearly ₦90 billion to the Federal Government’s annual wage bill.

The review covers allowances for call duty, shift duty, non-clinical responsibilities, and rural postings.

Salako said the Tinubu administration demonstrated its commitment to the health sector by approving the review following joint negotiations involving all categories of health workers.

He also explained that the Ministry has moved away from the previous system of fragmented negotiations, where individual health unions negotiated separately, often resulting in conflicting agreements and repeated industrial actions.

“To address this challenge, the Ministry adopted a collective bargaining framework that brought together doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, and other health professionals,” he noted.

On the progress of talks with NARD, Salako revealed that the association’s list of demands has been reduced from 19 to nine, though some outstanding issues remain unresolved due to legal and administrative constraints.

One such demand is the call for specialist allowances for resident doctors, which Salako said is not supported by existing regulations. He explained that resident doctors are specialists-in-training, and current rules restrict specialist allowances to consultants.

The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, he added, has warned that extending such allowances to residents could trigger similar claims from other health workers undergoing training.

Addressing concerns over the disengagement of five resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, the Minister assured that due process is being followed.

He disclosed that a ministerial review committee has recommended the reinstatement of two doctors, reprimands for two others, and a fresh disciplinary hearing for one.

Salako reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, remains open to continued dialogue to prevent disruptions and ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery across the country.