The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has once again urged the federal government to reinstate five medical practitioners who were dismissed by the management of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja (FTHL).
These doctors were reportedly terminated in October 2024, May 2025, and August 2025 under the administration of the former chief medical director, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, due to their participation in union activities opposing the hospital’s leadership.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lokoja, NARD president Dr. Muhammed Usman Suleiman declared that the association has reached a breaking point, emphasizing that the dismissed doctors have been unemployed for over a year.
He reminded the public that during NARD’s recent 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM), the association issued a 30-day ultimatum to the federal government to address several unresolved welfare and policy issues affecting its members.
“Today marks the 18th day of the 30-day deadline given to the federal government to fulfill our demands, which prominently include the reinstatement of the five doctors dismissed from FTH Lokoja,” Suleiman stated.
He outlined NARD’s key demands, which encompass the reemployment of the affected doctors, settlement of unpaid promotions and salary arrears spanning five years, as well as overdue increments of 25% and 35% and other entitlements.
Highlighting the dire state of Nigeria’s healthcare system, Suleiman pointed out the alarming doctor-to-patient ratio of one doctor per 9,000 citizens, far below the recommended standard of one doctor per 600 individuals.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene promptly, cautioning that failure to resolve these issues could precipitate a nationwide health crisis.
