The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has dismissed claims by the Federal Ministry of Labour that significant progress has been made in resolving the union’s demands, calling the statements misleading and inaccurate.
In a statement on Thursday, NARD said it was “profoundly disappointed” by the ministry’s press release of November 19, which suggested that a “high percentage” of doctors’ grievances had been addressed.
The association said a review during its Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting on November 17 showed that “not a single one” of its 19 core demands had been fully met.
NARD argued that what government officials described as progress mostly involved promises, pending approvals, and new committees—measures it said had been part of previous unfulfilled commitments.
The union challenged the ministry’s claim that the 25%/35% CONMESS review and 2024 accoutrement allowances had begun payment, stating that none of its members had received any. It said reconciling omissions only confirmed unresolved issues. “An announcement of intent is not a substitute for a credited salary,” the group said.
On specialist allowances and arrears owed to doctors in federal institutions like Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, FMC Owo, and University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, NARD criticised the government for “still compiling lists” after years of dialogue.
The association also rejected the creation of committees to address manpower shortages, casualisation, and disengagements, describing such committees as bureaucratic tools causing indefinite delays. NARD reiterated its demand for the immediate reinstatement of doctors disengaged at Lokoja and full implementation of a one-for-one replacement policy.
NARD declined to sign a proposed Memorandum of Understanding, saying the document lacked timelines and guarantees of implementation. “We refuse to sign any MoU built on unfulfilled promises,” the union said.
The group reaffirmed that the nationwide strike, which began on November 1, will continue until its minimum demands are met, including the reinstatement of disengaged doctors with compensation, payment of reviewed allowances and arrears, implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy, and resolution of other pending issues.
The statement was signed by NARD President Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, who 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 read.
