The Federal Government has explained that structural regulations and policy constraints rather than lack of commitment was responsible for persistent demands by resident doctors despite the approval of a ₦90 billion annual increase in health workers’ allowances.
Speaking on AfricanIndepoendent Television Programme Kaakaki, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the Tinubu administration has prioritised industrial harmony in the health sector but must balance health workers’ demands with those of other critical sectors within the limits of available national resources.
Salako said the ₦90 billion pay upgrade, approved in November 2025, followed collective negotiations involving doctors, nurses and other health professionals and covers call duty, shift duty, non-clinical duty and rural posting allowances.
He noted that while the number of demands by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has reduced significantly, some outstanding issues particularly the demand for specialist allowance were constrained by existing civil service rules, which reserve such allowances for consultants.
According to him, extending the allowance to resident doctors, who were specialists-in-training, could trigger similar claims from other cadres undergoing professional training, a situation the government was keen to avoid as it continues dialogue to stabilise the health sector and prevent recurring disruptions to healthcare delivery.
In a statement signed by the Director, Information & Public Relations of the ministry, Alaba Balogun, the minister affirmed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare places high priority on maintaining industrial peace and ensuring uninterrupted healthcare delivery.
Dr. Salako explained that past negotiations were often fragmented, with different health professional groups engaging government separately, leading to conflicting agreements on pay parity and relativity and triggering repeated 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.
On NARD’s demands, the Honourable Minister said the association’s requests have reduced from 19 to nine, indicating progress in talks. He further clarified that some outstanding demands are constrained by existing civil service rules and approved schemes of service.
He specifically addressed the demand for specialist allowance for resident doctors, noting that resident doctors are specialists-in-training and that current regulations reserve specialist allowances for consultants.
The Minister added that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission had advised against extending the allowance to residents, warning it could create similar claims from other health workers undergoing specialist training.
Dr. Salako also dismissed claims of inaction on certification issues, explaining that the National Postgraduate Medical College does not issue certificates after passing Part I examinations, a policy the Ministry cannot override.
Addressing the controversy surrounding five resident doctors disengaged in Lokoja, the Honourable Minister said their cases arose from civil service disciplinary procedures. He disclosed that a Ministerial review committee has recommended reinstatement for two doctors, reprimand for two others, and a fresh disciplinary hearing for one, in line with extant due process.
While acknowledging public concern over frequent strikes, Dr. Salako noted that industrial actions by doctors are a global phenomenon, citing similar disputes in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Labour and other stakeholders, remain committed to dialogue that will stabilise the health sector, ensure industrial harmony and prevent future disruptions to healthcare services.