On Thursday, August 29, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced that it would implement a "no work, no pay" policy in response to the ongoing strike by resident doctors. The announcement came from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in a statement signed by its Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.
The Ministry expressed disappointment over the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors' (NARD) decision to embark on a seven-day warning strike despite ongoing negotiations and efforts by the government to address their concerns and maintain industrial harmony.
The strike, which began on Monday, is in protest of the abduction of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna. Dr. Popoola, her husband, and her nephew were abducted on December 27, 2023. While her husband was released in March, Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
Responding to the strike, the Ministry highlighted its continued efforts, in collaboration with security agencies including the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), to ensure the safe rescue of Dr. Popoola. The statement noted, "Over the past months, the ministry, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, have been working tirelessly to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola. High-level discussions and coordinated efforts are currently underway, and we remain confident that these measures will lead to a positive outcome."
The Ministry criticized the decision to proceed with the strike while these efforts are ongoing, calling it "deeply regrettable." It emphasized that dialogue is the most effective way to resolve the issues at hand.
In line with existing labor laws, the Ministry warned that the "no work, no pay" policy would be enforced for the duration of the strike. "This measure is not intended to undermine the legitimate concerns of our medical professionals but to ensure that essential healthcare services are not unduly disrupted to the detriment of the public," the statement read.
The Ministry urged NARD members to return to negotiations to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the healthcare sector, reaffirming its commitment to constructive dialogue and collaboration with all stakeholders.
"As always, the ministry remains open to constructive dialogue and is committed to working together with all stakeholders to achieve a fair and sustainable resolution," the Ministry added.
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