The federal government says the ongoing industrial dispute with the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, is driven by structural and policy constraints rather than neglect. Resident doctors have announced plans to begin a nationwide strike from January 12 over unresolved welfare and professional demands.
Speaking on a TV interview, the minister of state for health and social welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the government is committed to industrial harmony and uninterrupted healthcare delivery, but must balance health sector demands with obligations in education, security and infrastructure.
Mr Salako said the Tinubu administration approved an upward review of health workers’ professional allowances in November 2025, adding about ninety billion naira to annual government spending. He said the increment covers call duty, shift duty, non-clinical duty and rural posting allowances, and was reached through collective negotiations involving all health worker groups.
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On outstanding demands, the minister said NARD’s requests have reduced from nineteen to nine, with some constrained by civil service rules and schemes of service. He added that resident doctors are specialists in training and therefore not entitled to specialist allowances, while assuring that discussions with labour authorities and other stakeholders are continuing to prevent disruption to health services.
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