The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has faulted the recent statement by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare titled “FG Reaffirms Commitment to Doctors’ Welfare and Industrial Harmony in the Health Sector,” describing it as misleading and disconnected from the realities faced by medical professionals across Nigeria.
In a rejoinder issued on Monday, NARD accused the ministry of presenting an “optimistic narrative” that obscures the true challenges confronting doctors.
“We do not intend to join issues with the Ministry, but for the sake of transparency, truth, and the health of Nigerians, it is imperative to set the records straight, particularly for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who may have been misinformed about the true nature of our grievances,” the association said.
According to NARD, the union has 19 outstanding demands repeatedly presented to the Federal Government. It described them as “minimum requirements for a sustainable healthcare system and for restoring dignity to medical practice in Nigeria.”
The association criticised the government’s claim of releasing over ₦30 billion to offset arrears owed to health workers, stating that doctors have received only a fraction. It listed numerous unpaid entitlements — including the 25%/35% CONMESS review, accoutrement allowance, promotion and upgrade arrears, and salary backlogs — some of which have been pending for over five years.
While acknowledging partial payments of CONMESS arrears before its Total, Indefinite, and Comprehensive Strike (Operation TICS), NARD said many resident doctors have yet to receive the full amount. It also decried what it called “unacceptable bureaucratic delays” in promotions, accusing the government of hiding behind “IPPIS-related issues.”
“The frequent excuse of ‘IPPIS-related issues’ is untenable,” the group said, urging the creation of a specialised payroll platform for the health sector to ensure “accurate, timely, and transparent payments.”
NARD also demanded data on the Federal Government’s claim of recruiting 20,000 health workers in 2024 and another 15,000 in 2025. “We need clarity on how many of them are doctors and where they are posted,” it said.
The association warned that Nigeria’s active pool of resident doctors has dropped from around 16,000 a decade ago to fewer than 10,000 today, blaming the decline on poor remuneration, unsafe working conditions, and chronic salary delays.
“What we need is retention, not rhetoric,” it added.
NARD acknowledged the release of ₦10.6 billion for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) but emphasised that it “is a statutory right, not a privilege.” It urged timely and transparent disbursement of the fund and adjustments to reflect inflation and training costs.
While commending the reinstatement of three of five doctors dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, the group condemned the continued delay in reinstating the remaining two. “Selective justice only deepens mistrust,” it said.
NARD also criticised the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for re-categorising certificates from the West African Postgraduate Medical Colleges, calling for the reversal of the policy. It demanded inclusion of resident doctors in the Specialist Allowance and the release of an updated professional allowance table reflecting the new ₦70,000 minimum wage.
“Our struggle transcends money. It is about dignity, safety, and survival. Nigerian doctors work in hazardous environments, often collapsing from exhaustion without recognition or compensation. The ongoing ‘Japa’ syndrome is not greed-driven but survival-driven,” NARD said.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue but insisted that “industrial peace cannot be achieved through press statements but through justice, sincerity, and respect for agreements.”
The statement was signed by Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman (President), Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim (Secretary General), and Dr Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim (Publicity and Social Secretary).
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