The Federal Government has dismissed claims that the ongoing industrial action by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is due to neglect by the administration. Instead, the government attributes the strike to underlying structural and policy challenges within the health sector.

Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, made the clarification in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Alaba Balogun.

Salako emphasized that the administration has shown its commitment to improving the welfare of health workers through several recent reforms, including an annual ₦90 billion increase in professional allowances. These revised allowances, approved in November 2025, cover call duty, shift duty, non-clinical duty, and rural posting allowances, and were negotiated in collaboration with all health professional groups.

The minister explained that in the past, negotiations had been fragmented, with different health groups making separate agreements with the government. This often led to inconsistent pay parity and triggered repeated industrial actions. The current administration has adopted a more inclusive collective bargaining approach to reduce conflict and ensure fairness across the board.

“While the government is committed to improving healthcare workers’ remuneration, such reviews must be done with careful consideration of competing national priorities, such as education, security, and infrastructure,” Salako said.

Addressing NARD’s current list of demands, Salako acknowledged that it has been reduced from 19 to 9, which he described as a positive sign of progress in the ongoing negotiations. However, he noted that some of the demands are constrained by existing public service rules and approved service schemes.

On the specific issue of specialist allowances for resident doctors, the minister explained that residents are still considered specialists-in-training, and therefore, the allowance is reserved for full consultants in line with established regulations. The National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission had also cautioned that extending this allowance to residents could spark similar claims from other groups undergoing specialist training.

Regarding the delay in certification for some doctors, Salako clarified that the National Postgraduate Medical College, not the Ministry of Health, is responsible for issuing certificates after Part I examinations. As such, the Ministry cannot override the institution’s policies in this matter.

Salako also commented on the recent disengagement of five resident doctors in Lokoja, stating that the action was taken as part of the civil service disciplinary process. A ministerial review has recommended reinstatement for two doctors, reprimands for two others, and a new hearing for one.

The minister assured Nigerians that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and other relevant stakeholders, is committed to ongoing dialogue to stabilize the health sector and avoid further disruptions in service delivery.

NARD, which represents medical doctors undergoing postgraduate training in Nigeria’s teaching hospitals, has been at the forefront of industrial actions to press for better working conditions, timely payment of allowances, and equal pay with other health professionals.