The Federal Government has explained why it cannot grant special allowances to resident doctors, saying the ongoing disagreement with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is due to policy and structural challenges, not lack of concern for health workers.
This explanation comes as resident doctors threaten to begin a nationwide strike by midnight on January 12, 2026, over unresolved demands. If carried out, the strike could disrupt medical services in public hospitals across the country.
The government’s position was made public in a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Alaba Balogun. The statement quoted the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, speaking during a programme aired on Africa Independent Television (AIT).
According to the minister, some of the demands made by resident doctors are restricted by existing civil service rules and approved schemes of service. He said these rules guide how allowances and benefits are paid to public workers and cannot be changed without following due process.
Salako stressed that the federal government has not ignored the doctors. Instead, he said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has taken concrete steps to improve the welfare of health workers within the limits of available resources.
In reaction to the government’s comments, NARD rejected any suggestion that its strike threat was politically motivated or influenced by opposition groups. The association maintained that its actions were based purely on unmet agreements and the welfare of its members.
Resident doctors, who are medical doctors undergoing specialist training in teaching hospitals, had recently issued an ultimatum to the government. In a statement released last weekend by the President of NARD, Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, the association said its National Executive Council (NEC) had resolved to resume an indefinite strike if their demands were not met.
“Following the E-NEC meeting, the NEC resolved to resume total indefinite, comprehensive strike–tagged, ‘No Implementation, No Going Back,’ with effect from 12th January 2026 by 12:00 am,” the statement said.
However, Salako countered this position by saying the government has already addressed many of the doctors’ demands and is close to resolving the remaining issues. He added that the number of demands has reduced from 19 to nine, showing progress in negotiations.
The minister said the government is committed to maintaining peace in the health sector and ensuring that Nigerians continue to have access to medical services without disruption. He noted that frequent strikes have serious effects on patients, especially the poor who rely heavily on public hospitals.
One major point of disagreement is the demand by resident doctors for a specialist allowance. Salako explained that under current regulations, specialist allowances are reserved for consultants, who are fully trained specialists. Resident doctors, he said, are specialists-in-training and therefore do not qualify for the allowance.
He added that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission has advised against extending specialist allowances to resident doctors. According to the commission, doing so could lead to similar demands from other health workers who are also undergoing specialist training, which could create further problems in the system.
The minister also addressed claims that the government had failed to act on issues related to medical certification. He explained that the National Postgraduate Medical College, which oversees postgraduate medical training, does not issue certificates after Part I examinations. He said this is an established policy that the ministry does not have the power to change.
To show its commitment to improving health workers’ welfare, Salako revealed that the federal government approved an increase of nearly N90 billion annually for health workers’ allowances in November 2025. This increase, he said, covers call duty, shift duty, non-clinical duty and rural posting allowances.
According to the minister, this decision was reached after joint negotiations involving all categories of health workers, including doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists and others. He said this approach was adopted to avoid past problems where different groups negotiated separately with the government.
“In the past, fragmented negotiations led to conflicting agreements on pay and allowances. This often resulted in disputes over pay differences and frequent strikes,” Salako said.
He explained that the ministry has now adopted a collective bargaining system to ensure fairness and balance among all health professionals. This, he said, is aimed at reducing tension and preventing recurring industrial actions in the health sector.
Salako also said that while the government understands the need to improve health workers’ pay, it must balance such demands with the needs of other sectors. He mentioned education, security and national infrastructure as areas that also require significant funding.
He noted that government revenue is limited and that decisions on wages and allowances must consider the overall national budget.
On the controversy surrounding the disengagement of five resident doctors in Lokoja, Kogi State, the minister said the matter followed civil service disciplinary procedures. He disclosed that a ministerial review committee was set up to look into the case.
According to him, the committee recommended the reinstatement of two of the doctors, reprimand for two others, and a fresh disciplinary hearing for one doctor. He said these decisions were made in line with due process and existing rules.
Salako acknowledged public frustration over frequent strikes by doctors but noted that such disputes are not unique to Nigeria. He cited examples from the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, where doctors have also engaged in industrial actions over pay and working conditions.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, working with the Ministry of Labour and other stakeholders, remains committed to dialogue. The goal, he said, is to stabilise the health sector, ensure industrial harmony and prevent future disruptions to healthcare services.
As the January 12 deadline approaches, many Nigerians are watching closely, hoping that both sides will reach an agreement to avoid another strike. Public hospitals remain a lifeline for millions, and any disruption could place additional strain on an already challenged healthcare system.