The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for prioritising incentives for sports teams while neglecting the pressing needs of medical professionals grappling with poor working conditions and a worsening brain drain.
In a statement posted Tuesday on its official X handle, the association accused the government of operating double standards in recognising national achievements—lavishing billions on athletes while failing to pay frontline doctors their outstanding salaries and addressing long-standing welfare concerns.
The doctors specifically cited the federal government’s recent financial rewards to the Super Falcons and D’Tigress for their international accomplishments, including the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) triumph.
“Nigeria’s women footballers deserve our congratulations for winning the 2024 WAFCON,” the statement began.
“The Federal Government rewarded each of the 24 players with the naira equivalent of US$100,000 and each of the 11 coaches with US$50,000; it also promised a national honour and three-bedroom apartments, bringing the cash gift to about ₦4.602 billion. The Nigerian Governors’ Forum added another ₦350 million.”
However, NARD maintained that while the recognition given to the sportswomen is well-earned, it exposes a troubling pattern of the government’s misplaced priorities in a country where professionals like teachers, police officers, and particularly healthcare workers are undervalued and poorly paid.
The association cited a report, which estimated that the same amount spent on sports rewards could have covered one month’s salary for about 16,000 doctors or 66,000 teachers—workers whose welfare the government often claims is too costly to support.
“Many doctors employed by the government earn between ₦200,000 and ₦250,000 monthly, yet they must contend with rising living expenses that contribute to the ongoing brain drain,” the statement said. “Teachers and police officers face a similar struggle. The same ₦4 billion spent could have paid the salaries of Nigeria’s lowest-ranking police officers for a month.”
NARD also pointed out that despite repeated pleas, the Tinubu administration has not paid the 2023–2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, nor has it settled the revised CONMESS salary arrears or fully released the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.
The group further noted that resident doctors remain excluded from the specialist allowance initiative, and their demands for wage adjustments based on the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage increases have gone unheeded.
“Our intention is not to criticise the Super Falcons and D’Tigress for being celebrated,” NARD clarified.
“Rather, we are calling for the same political commitment and financial support for healthcare professionals who have consistently served the country through pandemics, insecurity, and chronic underfunding.”
The association urged the Tinubu administration to immediately clear all outstanding allowances, implement promised salary adjustments, and give top priority to doctors’ welfare nationwide.
“By doing so, the government will show that it truly appreciates not only its sporting champions but also the medical professionals working tirelessly in hospital wards,” the statement concluded.