Resident Doctors Insist on Justice for Dismissed Colleagues
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has once again appealed to the Federal Government to reinstate five of its members who were dismissed by the management of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, in Kogi State.
Speaking at a press conference held in Lokoja on Tuesday, NARD President, Dr. Muhammed Suleiman, stated that the association was tired of waiting endlessly for justice for its affected members who were allegedly sacked for participating in union activities.
“Enough is enough,” Suleiman declared, emphasizing that the doctors have remained without employment for more than a year following what he described as unfair dismissal by the hospital management.
According to reports, the dismissed doctors were removed between October 2024 and August 2025 under the leadership of the hospital’s former Chief Medical Director, Dr. Olatunde Alabi.
Union Gives Federal Government 30-Day Ultimatum
Dr. Suleiman reminded the government that during NARD’s recent 45th Annual General Meeting, the association issued a 30-day ultimatum for the resolution of long-standing issues affecting medical professionals in the country.
“Today marks the eighteenth day of our 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address our demands, which include the reinstatement of five doctors sacked at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja,” he said.
Other key demands include payment of promotion arrears, five-year outstanding salaries, and settlement of 25% and 35% increment entitlements owed to resident doctors across the country.
Nigeria’s Doctor-to-Patient Ratio Sparks Concern
Dr. Suleiman expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s worsening healthcare crisis, pointing out that the doctor-to-patient ratio currently stands at 1:9,000, far from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended standard of 1:600.
He said the growing workload on the remaining doctors is unbearable and poses serious danger to the nation’s health system if not urgently addressed.
NARD Urges President Tinubu to Intervene
Okay News reports that NARD has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene promptly and ensure that justice is done. Suleiman warned that continued neglect of the association’s concerns could lead to a “national disaster” if the situation persists.
He reaffirmed NARD’s readiness to engage in dialogue with the Federal Government to find a lasting solution. “We need these sacked doctors reinstated to reduce workload in the hospital. NARD is open to discussion with the government,” he noted.
NARD Advocates for Collective Bargaining
Dr. Suleiman emphasized the importance of ongoing collective bargaining between the government and health workers as the only viable solution to stop the mass migration of medical professionals seeking better opportunities abroad.
“That is the only way to curb brain drain. NARD is saying enough is enough,” he stressed.
He also commended the newly appointed Acting Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, for his willingness to work with the association to achieve fairness and stability in the institution.
