The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has rejected claims by the Federal Ministry of Labour that a “high percentage” of its demands have been met, describing the statement as a deliberate misrepresentation of the ongoing strike and negotiations.

NARD reaffirmed that its nationwide, total, indefinite strike, which began on 1 November 2025, will continue until its minimum demands for a dignified and sustainable medical practice are fully addressed.

In a statement jointly signed by NARD President Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the association said its Extra-Ordinary National Executive Council meeting on 17 November 2025 found that none of the 19 core demands have been fully met.

The statement emphasised that what the Ministry described as “progress” consisted of unfulfilled promises, uncommenced payments, and newly formed committees, none of which constitute concrete action.

On payments and allowances, NARD stated:
“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.”

Regarding arrears, the association noted that compiling lists for payments at hospitals such as FTH Lokoja, FMC Owo, and UITH demonstrates a lack of urgency and implementation.

On welfare concerns, NARD argued:
“Constituting a committee is not a resolution; 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.”

The association also rejected the Minister’s claim that it refused to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), saying:
“We refuse to sign any MoU built on unfulfilled promises and lacking 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.”

NARD’s minimum demands include:

·         Immediate reinstatement of the five disengaged doctors at FTH Lokoja with full compensation

·         Payment of corrected professional allowances and all outstanding salary/allowance arrears

·         Concrete implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy and specialist allowances

·         Urgent resolution of other outstanding issues as previously communicated

The association warned that the government’s repeated misleading press statements and delays have exhausted doctors’ patience, urging that dialogue must now be result-oriented, not rhetorical.

“The health of our nation is in the balance, and the responsibility to restore stability lies squarely with the government,” the statement concluded.