The Federal Government has clarified that the ongoing standoff with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is due to structural and policy constraints, not neglect of health workers’ welfare.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, stated this in a statement issued by the State House on Wednesday.
Salako said the Tinubu administration remained committed to industrial harmony but was constrained by civil service rules and national revenue limitations.
“The ongoing standoff is driven by structural and policy issues rather than neglect. While the government would be pleased to significantly raise health workers’ pay, it must balance such demands with obligations to other sectors, including education, security, and national infrastructure,” he said.
The minister disclosed that an upward review of professional allowances for health workers, “approved in November 2025, has added nearly ₦90 billion to the government’s annual expenditure, covering critical areas such as call duty, shift duty, non-clinical duty, and rural posting allowances.”
He said the approval followed joint negotiations involving all health worker groups, underscoring the administration’s commitment to addressing welfare concerns in the sector.
Salako also addressed the issue of recurring strikes, noting that the ministry had moved away from what he described as “fragmented” negotiations in which health unions negotiated separately, often resulting in conflicting agreements and renewed industrial actions.
“To address this, the Ministry initiated and adopted a collective bargaining approach, ensuring that doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, and other health workers negotiated together,” he said.
On the status of talks with NARD, the minister said discussions had progressed significantly, with the association’s demands reduced from 19 to nine.
However, he explained that some outstanding demands, including the request for “specialist allowances” for resident doctors, were constrained by legal and administrative provisions.
“Resident doctors are specialists-in-training, and current regulations reserve specialist allowances for consultants. The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission has advised against extending this to residents to avoid similar claims from other health workers in training,” Salako said.
The minister also spoke on the disengagement of five resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, describing the issue as sensitive and assuring that due process was being followed.
He said a ministerial review committee had recommended the reinstatement of two doctors, reprimand for two others and a fresh disciplinary hearing for one.
Salako reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, working with the Ministry of Labour, remained open to dialogue to ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery for Nigerians.
