- Tertiary health workers refuse to join resident doctors’ nationwide strike.
- Government moves to release ₦11.995bn to address welfare arrears.
- Talks ongoing with NARD, NMA, and other health unions for resolution.
Health workers in medical centres across Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education have refused to join the nationwide strike declared by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), choosing instead to keep their facilities operational.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the workers, under the Coalition of Healthcare Professionals in Tertiary Education Institutions in Nigeria, said medical centres in all tertiary schools remain open despite the ongoing industrial action. The coalition includes doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory scientists operating under the Federal Ministry of Education.
The National Chairman of the coalition, Musa Shehu, confirmed that members would not participate in the strike, explaining that their primary duty is to continue providing healthcare to patients. “We are health workers under the Ministry of Education; naturally, we don’t go on strike. Our medical centres remain operational even when other health unions are on strike,” he said.
Shehu acknowledged that members also face marginalisation within the health system but insisted they would not abandon their responsibilities. He urged the public to access the medical centres in tertiary institutions while the NARD strike continues.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has initiated moves to end the resident doctors’ strike, announcing plans to release ₦11.995 billion within 72 hours to clear outstanding arrears and allowances. According to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the payment is part of ongoing efforts to resolve welfare disputes and ensure stability in the health sector.
The ministry said over 20,000 health workers were recruited across 58 federal hospitals in 2024, with 15,000 more approved for 2025, adding that negotiations with NARD and other unions are ongoing to achieve a lasting resolution.
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