Resident Doctors Urge FG to Reinstate Five Sacked Colleagues in Lokoja

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has renewed its call on the Federal Government to reinstate five of its members allegedly dismissed by the management of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja (FTHL), Kogi State.

The doctors were reportedly sacked between October 2024 and August 2025 under the leadership of the hospital’s former Chief Medical Director, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, for their alleged involvement in union activities.

Speaking during a press conference in Lokoja on Tuesday, NARD President, Dr. Muhammed Suleiman, said the association was running out of patience, noting that the affected doctors had been out of work for over a year.

“Today is the 18th day of the 30-day ultimatum that NARD gave to the Federal Government to meet our demands, among which is the reinstatement of five doctors sacked at FTH Lokoja,” Suleiman stated.

He recalled that the association, during its 45th Annual General Meeting, had issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address several unresolved welfare and policy issues affecting its members nationwide.

According to Suleiman, NARD’s demands include:

• Reinstatement of the dismissed doctors at FTH Lokoja;

• Payment of unpaid promotion and salary arrears spanning five years;

• Settlement of unpaid 25 and 35 per cent increments and other entitlements.

The NARD President warned that Nigeria’s healthcare system was at a breaking point, with one doctor reportedly serving over 9,000 Nigerians, compared to the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1:600.

“The Federal Government must adopt a holistic approach to addressing the crisis in the health sector,” he said, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene urgently to avert what he described as a looming national disaster.

Suleiman reaffirmed the association’s readiness to engage in constructive dialogue with the government to resolve the issues.

“We need the sacked doctors back to reduce workloads in the hospital. NARD is ready to discuss with the Federal Government to reinstate them,” he said.

He further emphasised the importance of sustaining the ongoing collective bargaining process between the government, resident doctors, and other health professionals, saying such dialogue was critical to tackling the persistent brain drain in Nigeria’s health system.

“That is the only way to curb the mass exodus of medical professionals. NARD is saying enough is enough,” Suleiman added.

While commending the new Acting Chief Medical Director of the hospital for his efforts, Suleiman appealed for his cooperation in ensuring justice for the affected doctors.

“We commend the new CMD for his openness and urge him to partner with us in resolving this issue,” he said.