The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has condemned a proposed bill that would prevent Nigerian‑trained medical doctors from receiving full practicing licences or travelling abroad for five years, calling it “modern‑day slavery.” The legislation, sponsored by Hon. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson in the House of Representatives, is titled “A Bill for an Act to amend the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap M379, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to mandate any Nigerian‑trained medical and dental practitioner to practice in Nigeria for a minimum of five years before being granted a full licence by the council in order to make quality health services available to Nigeria; and for related matters” (HB 2130).
In a communique issued after its emergency extended National Officers’ Committee (NOC) meeting held virtually, NARD vowed to resist any attempt by the government or its agencies to “enslave” its members under any pretext. The statement admonished the House of Representatives, describing the bill as “a clear definition of modern‑day slavery, not in keeping with anything civil, and should be discarded at this point.” The extended NOC reiterated that any effort to subjugate Nigerian medical doctors would be met with strong and vehement resistance.
Nevertheless, the doctors pledged to cooperate with the government to reverse the trend when genuine solutions are offered. NARD urged the Federal Ministry of Health and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to review the current status of the postgraduate colleges’ membership certificates, aiming to upgrade them to the standards previously enjoyed and comparable to those in other West African countries. The association also called on the federal government to honor agreements reached by stakeholders convened by the Ministry of Health on the implementation of the 2023 MRTF, and to expedite payment, warning that any delay could plunge the health sector into further crises.
The communique was signed by NARD President Dr. Orji Emeka Innocent, Secretary‑General Dr. Chikezie Kelechi, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Umar Musa.
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