Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD has dismissed as misleading claims by the Federal Ministry of Labour that substantial progress has been made in addressing the demands of striking doctors.
NARD also defended its refusal to sign any Memorandum of Understanding, saying, “it is built on a foundation of unfulfilled promises and lacks clear, binding, and time-bound deliverables.
“We will not be party to an agreement that merely papers over cracks while our members continue to suffer. An MoU that does not guarantee immediate and verifiable action is not worth the paper it is written on.
“Our Position Remains Unchanged: The nationwide total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike action, which commenced on 1st November 2025, continues. As resolved by our NEC, the strike will persist until our minimum demands are met.”
Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, had asked the resident doctors to suspend their strike, saying the federal government has made substantial progress in addressing their demands
In a statement on Wednesday, Dingyadi said with the high percentage of the association’s demands (19 out 20 demands) already being addressed in a series of negotiation meetings, NARD had no reason to continue the industrial strike.
The minister also claimed he was aware that payment of the 25 per cent/35 per cent upward review of CONMESS and the 2024 Accoutrements Allowances of the association had commenced up to December 2024, except for those with bank issues or omission.
He said IPPIS and NARD were working to reconcile the failed payments.
However, NARD said it was disappointed by the ministry’s statement, “which grossly misrepresents the state of negotiations and the reality of our ongoing industrial action”.
NARD ‘s statement, signed by the president, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim, said, “NARD has noted with profound disappointment the press release issued by the Federal Ministry of Labour officials and circulated widely on several news outlets on the 19th November 2025, which grossly misrepresents the state of negotiations and the reality of our ongoing industrial action.
“The ministry’s assertion that a “high percentage” of our demands have been met is not only inaccurate but a deliberate attempt to mislead the Nigerian public and undermine the legitimate struggle of our members.”
NARD said its extraordinary National Executive Council meeting of November 17, 2025 meticulously reviewed the government’s position and found that, contrary to the ministry’s claims, not a single one of its 19 core demands had been fully and verifiably met.
It added, “What the ministry characterises as progress are, in fact, unfulfilled promises, uncommenced payments, and newly formed committees—a familiar cycle of delay and deception that prompted this strike in the first place.
“We wish to set the record straight for the benefit of the Nigerian public: On Payments and Allowances: The Ministry’s claim that payment for the 25%/35% CONMESS review and 2024 accoutrement allowances “has commenced up to December 2024” is, at best, an anticipation of action, not action itself.
“Our members across the country have not received these payments. Similarly, the claim of “working to reconcile” omissions and failed payments is an admission of an unresolved problem, not its solution.”
NARD said government only made a promise to pay arrears owed the doctors but nothing had been credited to their salaries.
On the outstanding arrears and allowances, NARD said the ministry’s statement that issues like the specialist allowance, outstanding salaries, and arrears in hospitals like FTH Lokoja, FMC-Owo, UITH, and others were “accepted to compile the list” was a startling admission of inaction.
It said the fact that government was still at the stage of “compiling lists” for the budget office after years of dialogue, showed “a crippling lack of urgency and implementation”.
Regarding the case of disengaged doctors of FTH Lokoja, manpower shortages, and the casualisation of doctors, NARD said the establishment of committees to look into the issue did not amount to a resolution.
NARD stated, “It is often a bureaucratic tool for indefinite postponement. Our demand is for the immediate reinstatement of our colleagues in Lokoja and the concrete implementation of a one-for-one replacement policy to curb burnout, not the formation of another talking shop.
“On the Refusal to Sign the MoU: The Minister’s insinuation that NARD “outrightly refused to sign the MoU” is a misrepresentation of fact.”
NARD also defended its refusal to sign any Memorandum of Understanding, saying, “It was is built on a foundation of unfulfilled promises and lacks clear, binding, and time-bound deliverables.
“We will not be party to an agreement that merely papers over cracks while our members continue to suffer. An MoU that does not guarantee immediate and verifiable action is not worth the paper it is written on.
“Our Position Remains Unchanged: The nationwide total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike action, which commenced on 1st November 2025, continues. As resolved by our NEC, the strike will persist until our minimum demands, which constitute the barest minimum for a dignified and sustainable medical practice in Nigeria, are met.
“These include immediate reinstatement of the five disengaged doctors at FTH Lokoja with full compensation. Immediate release and payment of the corrected professional allowances and all outstanding salary/allowance arrears.
“Others include; concrete implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy and specialist allowances. Urgent resolution of all other outstanding issues as detailed in our previous communications.”
NARD said notwithstanding the situation, it remained open to dialogue.Onyebuchi Ezigbo
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