The federal government Tuesday  expressed deep concern over the ongoing strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), while assuring Nigerians that concrete steps are being taken to end the industrial action and restore normal services across public hospitals.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja , the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has directed the ministry to take all legitimate measures to ensure resident doctors return to their duty posts without delay.

Dr. Salako tendered an unreserved apology to Nigerians affected by the disruption of medical services, stating that the government remains committed to protecting citizens’ access to healthcare.

“On behalf of myself, the coordinating minister, and all top management staff of the ministry, I want to express our regret and unconditional apology to Nigerians, especially those who needed to access healthcare in the last 48 hours.

“The president has expressly directed that we do everything possible and legitimate to ensure resident doctors are brought back to their duty posts as soon as possible.”

On the government’s ongoing efforts, the minister stated that the government has been engaging NARD and other health unions through the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) mechanism, inaugurated in August 2025, to address outstanding issues around wages, allowances, and working conditions.

He added that two major areas of disagreement,  salary relativity and consultant cadre appointments,  are being reviewed by an independent industrial relations expert, with an interim report already submitted.