The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the ongoing strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), assuring Nigerians that concrete steps are being taken to end the industrial action and restore normal services across public hospitals.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the ministry to take all legitimate measures to ensure resident doctors return to their duty posts without delay.
Dr. Salako tendered an unreserved apology to Nigerians affected by the disruption of medical services, emphasizing that the government remains committed 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,” Salako stated.
“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.”
On the government’s ongoing efforts, the minister disclosed that the government has been engaging NARD and other health unions through the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) mechanism, inaugurated in August 2025, to address outstanding issues around wages, allowances, and working conditions.
He explained that two major areas of disagreement, salary relativity and consultant cadre appointments, are being reviewed 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,” he said. “We are taking our time to ensure whatever agreement we reach is sustainable and fair to all health workers.”
Spark News Naija reports that NARD commenced an indefinite nationwide strike on Saturday, over what it described as years of unmet demands and broken promises by the federal government.
The association said doctors are owed arrears from the 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS review, unpaid accoutrement and hazard allowances, and long-delayed promotions.