On Thursday, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) rejected the Federal Government claims that it has solved almost all the striking doctors' problems.
The NARD nationwide strike, dubbed "NARD TICS" (NARD Total Indefinite and Comprehensive Strike) entered its 20th day on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment announced that the government had successfully addressed "19 out of 20" demands made by the union.
In a statement signed by the Ministry's Head of Press, Annah Daniel, Labour Minister Dr. Mohammad Maigari Dingyadi urged the doctors to return to work.
The Minister claimed that payments for the 25% and 35% salary review (CONMESS) and 2024 accoutrement allowances had already started through the IPPIS payment platform.
He also said the government was working to fix the issues of the five sacked doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.
However, NARD President Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman released a strong statement on Thursday rejecting these claims.
He called the Ministry’s report "misleading" and a "deliberate attempt" to confuse Nigerians.
"Not a single one of our 19 core demands has been fully and verifiably met," Suleiman stated.
“What the Ministry calls progress are just unfulfilled promises."
The doctors insist that while the government claims to have started payments, their members have not received any money in their bank accounts.
They also refused to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government, describing it as a document built on empty promises.
Dr. Suleiman, along with Secretary General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, vowed that the strike would continue indefinitely until the sacked doctors are reinstated and all salary arrears are paid in full.
