Tinubu orders immediate action to end resident doctors’ strike
By Kunle Sanni –
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to take immediate and decisive action to end the ongoing strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and restore full medical services across public hospitals.
The directive was disclosed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, during a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
Dr. Salako said the President is deeply concerned about the impact of the industrial action on Nigerians, especially those in need of critical healthcare, and has instructed the ministry to exhaust all legitimate measures to ensure a swift resolution.
“The President has expressly directed that we do everything possible and legitimate to ensure resident doctors are brought back to their duty posts as soon as possible,” the minister stated.
According to Dr. Salako, President Tinubu’s directive underscores his administration’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to healthcare services nationwide.
“On behalf of the Coordinating Minister and the entire management of the ministry, I want to tender an unreserved apology to Nigerians affected by the disruption in medical services over the past 48 hours,” Salako said. “The government is working round the clock under the President’s directive to restore normalcy.”
Dr. Salako revealed that the Federal Government has intensified dialogue with NARD and other unions through the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) framework launched in August 2025. Two major issues — salary relativity and consultant cadre appointments — are currently being reviewed by an independent industrial relations expert, with an interim report already submitted.
“We are not sitting idly. The government has addressed most of the 19 issues raised by the resident doctors. We want a sustainable and fair resolution that benefits all health workers,” he added.
