Resident Doctors Demand Reinstatement of Sacked Kogi Colleagues

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has renewed its demand for the reinstatement of five doctors dismissed by the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Kogi State.

The doctors were allegedly sacked between October 2024 and August 2025 by the hospital management under former Chief Medical Director, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, over their involvement in union-related activities.

Speaking at a press conference in Lokoja on Tuesday, NARD President, Dr. Muhammed Suleiman, said the association would no longer tolerate the prolonged injustice faced by the affected doctors, who have been out of work for over a year.

Suleiman reminded the public that NARD had earlier issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government during its 45th Annual General Meeting, demanding action on several unresolved issues, including the reinstatement of the dismissed doctors.

He listed other demands such as payment of outstanding promotion and salary arrears spanning five years, implementation of the 25 and 35 per cent salary increment, and settlement of other entitlements owed to doctors.

The NARD president also raised concern over the growing shortage of medical professionals in the country, stating that one doctor now attends to over 9,000 Nigerians, far above the recommended global ratio of one to 600.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene urgently to prevent what he described as an impending national health disaster. Suleiman added that the association is open to dialogue with the Federal Government to resolve the matter amicably.

“We need these doctors back to ease the workload in hospitals. NARD is ready to discuss with the government to achieve their reinstatement,” he said.

He further called for the continuation of collective bargaining between the government and health workers to stem the rising wave of brain drain in the medical sector.

Suleiman also commended the new Acting Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, for his efforts and urged him to work with NARD in securing justice for the dismissed doctors.