Federal Government is set to release ₦11.995 billion within 72 hours to clear by outstanding arrears, including accoutrement allowances owed to health workers.
It also confirmed the full payment of ₦10.6 billion for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to resident doctors nationwide.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Adekunle Salako, said the payments reflect President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving doctors’ welfare and sustaining industrial harmony across the health sector. 
To address the strain caused by brain drain and prolonged working hours, the Federal Government has also granted special waivers to enable the massive recruitment of healthcare professionals across federal tertiary institutions.
He noted that this recruitment drive is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s health facilities are adequately staffed, safe, and equipped to deliver quality healthcare services to citizens.
On ongoing negotiations and industrial dialogue, Dr. Salako confirmed that collective bargaining discussions are continuing with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)—of which NARD is an affiliate—the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
Dr. Salako emphasized that these interventions reflect the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of health workers, ensuring industrial harmony, and upholding the uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services to Nigerians.
This development followed the announcement by NARD on October 26 on plans to commence an indefinite nationwide strike starting November 1, 2025.
Disclosing this iin a statement, NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, said the strike directive was issued after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier given to the Federal Government over unresolved demands.
This latest action comes after a five-hour meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) on Saturday.
