Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has taken strong exception to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment’s recent declaration that it has fulfilled 19 out of the union’s 20 demands, calling the claim both “misleading” and “a deliberate attempt to misinform the Nigerian public.”
In a communiqué issued Thursday in Abuja—signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim—the association said the ministry’s narrative does not reflect the reality of negotiations that have been dragging on for years.
Resident doctors have been on a nationwide, indefinite strike since November 1, following what they describe as government’s persistent failure to honour longstanding agreements on welfare, allowances, and chronic manpower shortages across the country’s health institutions.
According to NARD, the Labour Ministry’s Wednesday press statement suggesting that a “high percentage” of the association’s demands had been addressed was far from the truth. The ministry had also claimed that payment of the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and accoutrement allowances was underway.
But NARD’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on November 17 told a different story. The association said the review of the ministry’s claims showed that “not a single one” of its 19 key demands had been “fully and verifiably met.”
NARD accused the ministry of substituting actual progress with vague assurances, explaining that the claims were based on “anticipations, intentions and the formation of committees,” rather than tangible action.
“The Ministry’s assertion that payments for the 25 per cent and 35 per cent CONMESS review and the 2024 accoutrement allowances have commenced is simply untrue. None of our members across the country has received these payments,” the communiqué stated.
On outstanding arrears owed in several federal health institutions, NARD said the government’s admission that it was still “compiling lists” for the Budget Office exposed “a crippling lack of urgency,” despite years of back-and-forth.
The union also criticised the government’s reliance on committees to address long-standing issues—ranging from the controversial disengagement of five doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, to manpower shortages and alleged casualisation of medical personnel.
“Constituting committees is not a resolution. It is often a bureaucratic tool for indefinite postponement,” NARD said.
The doctors are insisting on the immediate reinstatement of the affected FTH Lokoja doctors and the full enforcement of a one-for-one replacement policy to tackle burnout in health facilities already battling acute staff shortages.
NARD also rejected claims that it declined to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). According to the association, it simply insisted on an agreement anchored on clear, verifiable, and time-bound implementation steps.
“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,” it added.
The doctors say their minimum demands remain unchanged before the strike can be suspended. These include:
Reinstatement and full compensation for the dismissed FTH Lokoja doctors
Payment of corrected allowances and outstanding arrears
Full implementation of the one-for-one replacement and specialist allowances
Resolution of all remaining unresolved issues
NARD stressed that while it remains open to dialogue, only concrete results—not promises—can move negotiations forward.
“The health of our nation is in the balance,” the association warned.
Recurring disputes between government and resident doctors have, for years, revolved around remuneration, working conditions, training support, manpower deficits, and chronic delays in honouring signed agreements—issues that continue to disrupt health services nationwide.
