Tinubu Government Orders Resident Doctors To End Strike

The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors to suspend its nationwide strike, insisting that the union must comply with labour laws while talks continue.

The order was issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, which said the government had already resolved most of the issues raised by the doctors. According to a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Annah Daniel, officials claim that nineteen out of the twenty demands listed by NARD have been addressed.

Labour Minister Mohammad Maigari Dingyadi said the strike violates Nigeria’s labour regulations and international conventions since conciliation is still ongoing. He argued that the union should not apply pressure tactics when negotiations are active and urged NARD to return to work.

The resident doctors began the industrial action in early November, citing unresolved problems with pay, welfare and working conditions. They said federal hospitals continue to suffer manpower shortages, poor funding and irregular allowances. Long-standing concerns such as unpaid arrears, burnout and the exclusion of House Officers from the Scheme of Service were also part of their complaints.

Public hospitals have felt the impact as resident doctors make up the bulk of clinical staff nationwide. Emergency units have come under strain, and several teaching hospitals have scaled down services as the strike continues.

The government listed issues it said had been resolved, including the review of CONMESS salaries, updated accoutrement allowances and ongoing payment of arrears through the IPPIS platform. It also noted progress on specialist allowances, outstanding salaries across federal institutions and steps to address manpower shortages and the cases of disengaged resident doctors in Lokoja.

The minister added that discussions with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission are ongoing to correct professional allowances, with a circular expected soon. He expressed concern that NARD refused to sign the most recent memorandum of understanding despite these developments.

Dingyadi urged the doctors to reconsider their stance, saying the strike puts patients at risk and is no longer justified given the government’s actions so far.