The Federal Government says its disagreement with resident doctors is rooted in policy and structural constraints, not a lack of commitment to their welfare, as it moves to prevent another round of disruptive strikes in the health sector.
Speaking during a televised interview, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salak, said the government has prioritised industrial harmony while working within limited national resources and established civil service rules.
He disclosed that in November 2025, the Tinubu administration approved a comprehensive upward review of health workers’ professional allowances, adding about ₦90 billion annually to government expenditure. The increase covers call duty, shift duty, non-clinical duty and rural posting allowances and was achieved through joint negotiations involving all health professional groups.
Dr. Salako explained that previous engagements with health workers were often fragmented, with separate negotiations creating pay disparities and fueling repeated industrial actions. To address this, the Ministry of Health adopted a collective bargaining framework, bringing doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists and other professionals to the same table to ensure equity and reduce future disputes.
On the demands of the National Association of Resident Doctors, he noted that negotiations have made progress, with the list of demands reduced from 19 to nine. However, he said some unresolved issues are limited by existing schemes of service and civil service regulations.
He clarified that resident doctors, as specialists-in-training, are not currently eligible for specialist allowances, which are reserved for fully qualified consultants. Extending such allowances, he added, could trigger similar claims from other health workers undergoing specialist training, a position also advised by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Addressing concerns over certification, the Minister said the National Postgraduate Medical College does not issue certificates after Part I examinations, a policy that falls outside the Ministry’s authority.
On the case of five resident doctors disengaged in Lokoja, Dr. Salako said the matter followed civil service disciplinary procedures. A ministerial review committee has recommended the reinstatement of two doctors, reprimands for two others, and a fresh disciplinary process for one, in line with due process.
While acknowledging public frustration over recurring strikes, the Minister noted that industrial actions by doctors occur globally, including in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe. He assured Nigerians that the government, working with the Ministry of Labour and other stakeholders, remains committed to dialogue to stabilise the health sector and ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery.
