By Mercy Gadia Adi
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that decisive steps are underway to end the ongoing strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and restore normal services across public hospitals.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the ministry to take all legitimate actions to ensure resident doctors resume work without delay.
Dr. Salako apologized to Nigerians affected by the disruption of medical services, reaffirming government’s commitment to protecting citizens’ access to healthcare.
“On behalf of myself, the Coordinating Minister, and all top management staff of the ministry, I want to express our regret and unconditional apology to Nigerians, especially those who needed to access healthcare in the last 48 hours,” he said. “The President has expressly directed that we do everything possible and legitimate to ensure resident doctors are brought back to their duty posts as soon as possible.”
According to the minister, the Federal Government has been engaging NARD and other health unions under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) framework inaugurated in August 2025 to address outstanding issues regarding wages, allowances, and working conditions. He noted that two major areas of disagreement — salary relativity and consultant cadre appointments — are currently under review by an independent industrial relations expert, with an interim report already submitted.
“We are not sitting idly. The government has addressed most of the 19 issues raised by the resident doctors,” Salako said. “We are taking our time to ensure whatever agreement we reach is sustainable and fair to all health workers.”
Addressing manpower concerns, the minister revealed that 14,444 health workers were recruited in 2024, with the approval for an additional 23,059 to be employed in 2025 across 78 federal tertiary health institutions. He also announced the creation of a ministerial taskforce to monitor hospital operations during the strike and ensure continuity of essential services.
“Consultants have been directed to maintain emergency and outpatient services,” he said, appealing for public patience as efforts continue to resolve the crisis.
On financial commitments, Dr. Salako stated that the government had released ₦21.3 billion to settle outstanding arrears and allowances, with about 60% of resident doctors already receiving payment alerts. An additional ₦11.9 billion is being processed for payment this week, alongside ₦10 billion earlier disbursed for the Medical Residency Training Fund.
Appealing for calm, the minister urged striking doctors to return to work in good faith, acknowledging their indispensable role in the health system.
“If it were possible, we would pay our doctors ₦50 million monthly, because no one can truly compensate for a health worker’s service,” he said. “But we must operate within the economic realities of the country.”
He reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would continue to engage all stakeholders to achieve a lasting and equitable resolution.
“The health sector is a team,” Salako concluded. “What affects one group affects all. Our goal is a unified, functional system.”