NARD Disputes Labor Ministry's Claims, Confirms Strike Continues

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors denied on Thursday the assertions made by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment that a ...

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors denied on Thursday the assertions made by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment that a significant portion of their requests has been fulfilled.

NARD characterized the statements as not merely incorrect but also a conscious effort to deceive the Nigerian populace and weaken the rightful efforts of its members.

The Business Day reported on Wednesday that the Ministry of Labour and Employment stated the Federal Government has dealt with 19 of the 20 demands presented by NARD.

The ministry highlighted several resolved matters, including the 25 per cent/35 per cent upward adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and the 2024 Accoutrements Allowances for the Association, noting that the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System indicates payments have begun up to December 2024.

The walkout by resident doctors, starting on November 1, is a labor protest concerning unresolved issues related to pay, benefits, employee well-being, and work environment within Nigeria's medical field.

Nevertheless, in a statement signed by its President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, NARD stated that its Special National Executive Council meeting examined the government's stance and concluded that, unlike what the Ministry asserts, none of its 19 main demands have been entirely or conclusively fulfilled.

The Ministry refers to as progress are, in reality, broken promises, unpaid obligations, and newly established committees — a well-known pattern of postponement and trickery that led to this strike in the first place.

We want to clarify the facts for the Nigerian people that regarding payments and allowances, the Ministry's statement that payments for the 25 per cent/35 per cent CONMESS review and 2024 additional allowances have started up to December 2024 is, at most, a prediction of action, not actual action.

"Our members throughout the nation have not received these payments. Likewise, the assertion of efforts to address missing and failed payments is an acknowledgment of an ongoing issue, not a resolution. An announcement of intent does not replace a credited salary," NARD emphasized.

The association mentioned that regarding unpaid balances and benefits, the Ministry's acknowledgment that issues such as the specialist allowance, unpaid wages, and back pay in hospitals including Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja; Federal Medical Centre, Owo; University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State; and others were recognized to create the list is a surprising indication of lack of action.

Following years of discussion, the government's current position of preparing lists for the budget office highlights our main concern: a severe absence of urgency and action.

On pressing welfare matters: The Ministry's statement indicates that committees have been established to address the issues of disengaged doctors at FTH Lokoja, staffing gaps, and the temporary employment of medical professionals. Forming a committee is not a solution; it frequently serves as a bureaucratic method for delaying decisions indefinitely. We are calling for the immediate return of our colleagues in Lokoja and the effective enforcement of a one-for-one replacement policy to prevent exhaustion, rather than creating yet another discussion group.

"Regarding the refusal to sign the MoU: The Minister's suggestion that NARD 'completely refused to sign the MoU' is a distortion of the truth. We will not sign any Memorandum of Understanding that is based on broken promises and lacks specific, enforceable, and time-sensitive commitments. We will not be involved in an agreement that only covers up problems while our members keep facing difficulties. An MoU that does not ensure immediate and measurable action holds no value," it stated.

In the meantime, NARD stated that its requirements have not changed.

It stated, “The countrywide, total, ongoing, and all-encompassing strike action, which began on November 1, 2025, is still in effect. As decided by our NEC, the strike will remain active until our basic requirements, which represent the minimum necessary for a respectful and viable medical practice in Nigeria, are fulfilled.”

These involve the prompt readmission of the five dismissed doctors at FTH Lokoja along with full remuneration; the immediate release and payment of adjusted professional allowances and all unpaid salary/allowance backlogs; the tangible execution of the one-for-one replacement policy and specialist allowances; and the swift addressing of all other unresolved matters outlined in our prior correspondence.

NARD pointed out the irony in the Ministry's criticism of the association for not respecting labor laws, given that it repeatedly violates workers' basic rights and ignores agreed-upon deadlines.

Years of diplomatic talks have drained our patience, resulting only in press statements filled with empty triumphs.

NARD is open to discussion, but such discussions need to be focused on achieving results. We urge the government to redirect its efforts from creating deceptive media statements towards taking the necessary practical steps to address this crisis.

"The well-being of our country is at stake, and the task of bringing back order rests entirely on the government," it stated.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).