Resident doctors to Tinubu: reward us like Super Falcons, D’Tigress

DDM News

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has criticised the federal government for allegedly neglecting medical professionals while lavishly rewarding sports teams.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the group accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of double standards in its approach to recognising national service and excellence.

NARD expressed its disappointment through a statement released on Tuesday via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

The doctors questioned why the government could spend billions on footballers and basketball players, yet fail to meet basic welfare demands of frontline healthcare workers.

They pointed to recent rewards given to the Super Falcons and D’Tigress following their 2024 WAFCON triumph and other international achievements.

The statement commended the women’s teams for their performance, saying their victory deserved national celebration.

However, NARD described the Federal Government’s gesture as lopsided and insensitive in a country facing a serious brain drain in its healthcare sector.

According to the statement, each Super Falcons player received the naira equivalent of US$100,000 while each coach got US$50,000.

In addition to these cash rewards, the players and coaches were promised national honours and three-bedroom apartments.

Altogether, the government’s package reportedly amounted to over ₦4.6 billion.

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum further added ₦350 million to the total, bringing the full reward closer to ₦5 billion.

NARD said while celebrating sports achievements is important, it exposes the government’s misplaced priorities.

They noted that a fraction of the funds could have resolved lingering salary and allowance issues affecting thousands of doctors and other public servants.

The doctors referenced a Daily Trust report which estimated that ₦4.6 billion could fund one month’s salary for around 16,000 doctors.

Alternatively, the same amount could pay 66,000 teachers or cover basic wages for a large portion of the Nigerian police force.

The association disclosed that many doctors earn only ₦200,000 to ₦250,000 monthly, which is grossly inadequate given Nigeria’s inflation and rising living costs.

They argued that healthcare workers, teachers, and police officers are often told that funds for their welfare are “unavailable.”

NARD said it was unfair that doctors are owed several arrears while sports stars receive immediate multi-million-naira rewards.

Specifically, the group cited unpaid 2023 and 2024 accoutrement allowances, delayed CONMESS salary arrears, and an incomplete disbursement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.

Resident doctors are also excluded from the specialist allowance scheme introduced for other health workers.

Their requests for wage adjustments in line with the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage reviews have been ignored.

NARD insisted that their protest was not out of envy or bitterness toward the Super Falcons or D’Tigress.

Rather, they said they were demanding the same energy and financial commitment shown to athletes be extended to doctors keeping Nigeria’s health system afloat.

According to the statement, healthcare workers have silently endured pandemics, poor funding, insecurity, and the mass emigration of colleagues abroad.

The doctors urged the Tinubu administration to urgently pay all outstanding allowances and implement previously promised salary upgrades.

They called on the government to stop treating doctors as expendable and instead recognise them as national assets deserving dignity and motivation.

The statement concluded by saying true national pride should include both athletic victories and a functional health system.

Nigeria’s resident doctors continue to work under unsafe conditions, lacking equipment, and with little or no appreciation from the authorities.

Thousands have left the country in recent years, seeking better opportunities abroad due to unbearable working conditions at home.

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