The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has strongly rejected claims by the Federal Ministry of Labour that the government has substantially met their demands, describing the assertion as a deliberate misrepresentation of the actual situation.
Strike Action to Continue Indefinitely
In a firm statement issued on November 20, 2025, NARD announced that the nationwide total and indefinite strike action that began on November 1, 2025 will persist until their minimum demands are met. The association emphasized that these demands represent the essential requirements for maintaining dignified and sustainable medical practice in Nigeria.
The statement was jointly signed by Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman (NARD President), Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim (Secretary General), and Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim (Publicity and Social Secretary).
Government Claims Versus Reality
Following an Extra-Ordinary National Executive Council meeting held on November 17, 2025, NARD conducted a thorough review of the government's position. The association found that contrary to the Labour Ministry's claims, not a single one of their 19 core demands has been completely and verifiably addressed.
NARD characterized what the government calls progress as "unfulfilled promises, uncommenced payments, and newly formed committees" - a pattern of delay and deception that originally prompted the industrial action.
Specific Issues Highlighted
The doctors' association provided detailed counterpoints to the government's claims:
Payments and Allowances: The Ministry's assertion that payment for the 25%/35% CONMESS review and 2024 accoutrement allowances has commenced up to December 2024 was described as "an anticipation of action, not action itself." NARD confirmed that their members nationwide have not received these payments.
Outstanding Arrears and Allowances: The government's statement about compiling lists for issues like specialist allowance and outstanding salaries at hospitals including FTH Lokoja, FMC-Owo, and UITH was termed a "startling admission of inaction." After years of discussions, being at the compilation stage demonstrates a critical lack of urgency and implementation.
Critical Welfare Issues: NARD dismissed the formation of committees to address the disengaged doctors of FTH Lokoja, manpower shortages, and casualisation of doctors as bureaucratic tools for indefinite postponement rather than genuine solutions.
Minimum Demands for Resolution
The association outlined their non-negotiable minimum requirements that must be fulfilled before considering an end to the strike:
- Immediate reinstatement of the five disengaged doctors at FTH Lokoja with full compensation
- Immediate release and payment of corrected professional allowances and all outstanding salary/allowance arrears
- Concrete implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy and specialist allowances
- Urgent resolution of all other outstanding issues detailed in previous communications
NARD expressed frustration with the government's approach, noting that their patience has been exhausted by years of conciliatory meetings that yield nothing but press releases filled with hollow victories.
The association remains open to dialogue but insists that discussions must be result-oriented. They called on the government to redirect energy from crafting misleading statements to undertaking concrete actions needed to resolve the healthcare crisis, emphasizing that the health of the nation hangs in the balance.
