FG Defends Talks With Resident Doctors, Points To ₦90bn Allowance Boost
At a time when Nigerians are increasingly anxious about disruptions in public healthcare, the Federal Government has sought to clarify its position in the ongoing standoff with resident doctors, insisting the impasse is rooted in policy constraints rather than neglect or indifference.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the Tinubu administration has demonstrated goodwill by approving an annual ₦90 billion increase in health workers’ allowances, following collective negotiations across the sector.
He disclosed this during an interview on AIT Kaakaki, stressing that the government is committed to industrial harmony while balancing competing national priorities.
According to Dr Salako, the allowance review, covering call duty, shift duty, non-clinical duty and rural posting, was finalised in November 2025 through a unified bargaining framework involving doctors, nurses and other health professionals.
The approach, he said, was adopted to end years of fragmented negotiations that often triggered repeated strikes.
He noted that the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has scaled down its demands from 19 to nine, a development he described as evidence of progress.
He, however, explained that some requests, including specialist allowances for resident doctors, are restricted by existing civil service rules, which reserve such benefits for fully qualified consultants.
Dr Salako also addressed concerns over disengaged resident doctors in Lokoja, revealing that a ministerial committee has recommended reinstatement and disciplinary reviews in line with due process.
On certification issues, he clarified that the current policies of the National Postgraduate Medical College cannot be overridden by the Ministry.
While acknowledging public frustration over recurring strikes, the Minister noted that similar disputes occur globally, including in the UK and parts of Europe.
He assured Nigerians that sustained dialogue with labour authorities and stakeholders remains the government’s preferred path to stabilising the health sector and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.
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