The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has rejected claims by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment that the government has met a “high percentage” of the union’s demands, insisting that none of its core issues has been resolved.

In a statement issued on Thursday, NARD described the ministry’s position—circulated on 19 November—as misleading and not reflective of the state of negotiations in the ongoing nationwide strike by resident doctors.

The statement signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, said an Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on 17 November found that “not a single one” of its 19 major demands had been fully met, contrary to the ministry’s assessment.

NARD said items presented by the ministry as progress amounted to “unfulfilled promises, uncommenced payments and newly formed committees,” which it argued had contributed to the breakdown in negotiations.

Payment claims disputed

The association faulted the ministry’s statement that payment of the 25%/35% CONMESS review and the 2024 accoutrement allowance “had commenced up to December 2024.”

According to NARD, its members across the country have not received the payments. It added that the ministry’s reference to reconciling omissions and failed payments amounted to an acknowledgement that the issues remained unresolved.

Outstanding allowances and arrears

NARD also said the government had not made progress on specialist allowances, outstanding salaries and arrears affecting institutions such as the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja; Federal Medical Centre, Owo; and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).

It described the ministry’s claim that lists were being compiled for submission to the Budget Office as evidence of slow implementation.

Welfare concerns

The association criticised the setting up of committees to look into the disengagement of doctors at FTH Lokoja, manpower shortages and what it described as the casualisation of doctors, maintaining that it expected immediate action rather than further review processes.

NARD also rejected the ministry’s suggestion that it refused to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), saying it would not endorse any agreement lacking clear, verifiable and time-bound commitments.

Strike continues

The resident doctors reaffirmed that their indefinite nationwide strike, which began on 1 November, would continue until their minimum demands were addressed.

These include the reinstatement of five disengaged doctors at FTH Lokoja, the payment of corrected professional allowances and salary arrears, implementation of a one-for-one replacement policy and other outstanding issues previously communicated to the government.

NARD said it remained open to dialogue but urged the government to prioritise concrete action over “misleading” public statements. (Daily Trust)