Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government over its handling of welfare issues concerning resident doctors, warning that failure to honour existing agreements could worsen the crisis in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
In a statement shared on X on Sunday, Atiku expressed support for the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) ahead of its planned nationwide engagement scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 7.
He accused the government of reneging on a previously agreed Professional Allowance Table framework, describing the move as a breach of trust.
“The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors should not have to beg for what has already been agreed upon. The Federal Government signed a deal on the Professional Allowance Table, and now it wants to abandon it. This is not governance; it is betrayal,” he said.
Atiku highlighted the difficult working conditions faced by resident doctors, noting that they remain critical to sustaining Nigeria’s struggling healthcare system.
“Our resident doctors are the last line of defence in hospitals that are already collapsing. They work gruelling hours, in impossible conditions, for pay that insults their sacrifice,” he added.
He further listed unresolved issues affecting the doctors, including “19 months of unpaid Professional Allowance arrears,” delayed promotions, and a Medical Residency Training Fund he said remains stalled in bureaucratic processes.
According to him, the government’s approach has contributed to the continued migration of medical professionals abroad.
“Every doctor Nigeria loses to the UK, Canada, or Saudi Arabia is a failure of leadership, not a failure of patriotism,” Atiku stated.
He urged the Federal Government to act swiftly to prevent further deterioration in the health sector.
“I stand with NARD. Pay what you owe. Honour what you signed. Or explain to 200 million Nigerians why their hospitals will go dark,” he said.
