Chukwu Obinna 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The House of Representatives Health Committee says it will now directly oversee negotiations between the Federal Government and medical workers to ensure that future agreements are documented, costed and reflected in the national budget.
Committee Chairman, Amos Magaji, said on Wednesday that legislators have opened discussions with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) amid the ongoing nationwide strike.
Appearing on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Magaji said the House would no longer “stand aside while the health sector stalls under repeated disputes”.
“I sat with the leadership of the resident doctors, and we have started engaging,” he said. “Any agreement on salary adjustments or allowances must be seen and cost. It must appear in the budget, so it is not later abandoned.”
Resident doctors are currently on strike following unmet demands, despite previous negotiations.
Magaji criticised past government bargaining practices, saying: “Most times, we are not sincere. Agreements are made simply to stop strikes, and after resumption, they are not honoured.”
He argued that transparency would prevent recurring walkouts.
“If the government promises 5%, it should be honest about what it can deliver,” he said. “Come clean — don’t negotiate for convenience.”
Magaji confirmed that the committee will review all outstanding demands and assign timelines based on feasibility.
“This time, whatever agreement is made will be implemented,” he said, signalling enhanced legislative scrutiny of health labour relations.
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