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FG drags resident doctors to industrial court over strike

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Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has invited the National Industrial Court of Nigeria to adjucate in the dispute between the Federal Government and striking resident doctors.
The doctors under the aegis of National Association of Resident Doctors had declared industrial dispute with the FG and proceeded on indefinite strike August 2 over the inability of the latter to meet their demands.
Efforts by the minister, who is the Conciliator-in-Chief of the Federal Government to broker truce between resident doctors and the government have yielded no positive results as the doctors have maintained that until their demands are met, they will not call off the strike.
Ngige was said to have formally handed over the trade dispute between government and NARD to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria for adjudication on Thursday.
A copy of the transmission to the Industrial Court was sent to NARD and the Federal Ministry of Health representing the Federal Government.
It will be recalled that the Minister had given the NARD leadership till the end of work on Wednesday, 11th August, 2021, to convene a virtual meeting of its National Executive Committee to brief its members on the efforts of government with a view to calling off its strike.
Vanguard quoted a source at the ministry, “Part of the instrument signed August 11, 2021 by the minister read, “whereas trade dispute has arisen and now exists between the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Federal Ministry of health / Federal Government and whereas efforts to promote settlement through conciliation were on-going but had now failed.
“And considering the facts that members of NARD who are classified as Essential Services workers/employees had embarked on strike on Monday, August 2, 2021 over the issues under conciliation, contrary to the provisions of Section 18 of the Trade Disputes Act CAP T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004, after attending a Conciliation and Agreement Review meeting on July 22, 2021 and further considering that the Federal Ministry of Health claim to have and produced evidence to having met most of their demands based on the various Memorandum of Action reached during past conciliations especially that of July 22, 2021
“Now therefore, I, Senator Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige OON, MD the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 17 of the Trades Disputes Act, CAP T8 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, hereby refer the matter for consideration, and the issues in dispute to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria for adjudication.”
Saturday Vanguard further gathered that Senator Ngige on Thursday attended the meeting of Medical Elders Forum, comprising practising and retired senior medical practitioners, doctors who have served or are serving in top level political offices.
The source that spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “Some of those in attendance included the Chairman of Senate Committee on Health Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Chairman House committee on Health, Tanko Sununu, all past Presidents of NMA and NARD, His Highness, Dr. Haliru Yahaya, Emir of Shonga, former chairman Senate Committee on Health, Senator Tejuosho, President of NMA, Prof. Innocent Ujah, former Minister of Health , Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Chairman and Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Prof. Tajudeen Sanusi, among others.”
The source claimed that the Minister of Labour and Employment” painstakingly explained every item on the resident doctors demands, upon which they embarked on strike.
“For instance, the minister informed the forum that it was the 36 state commissioners for health and the FCT who raised a joint memo to the National Council on Establishment for the abolition of internship period in the scheme of service for health professionals and further underlined the fact that Medical House Officers have never enjoyed the one year of internship or that of the NYSC as part of their period of service in the overall 35 years period of service.
“He added that CONMESS wage structure captures all doctors from CONMESS 1 for House Officers to CONMESS for the highest consultant.”
Ngige was also said to have stated that the circular from the Office of the Head Of Service of the Federation, emanating from the last National Economic Council meeting in Lagos, abolishing one year of internship and NYSC as part of scheme of service for health professionals, does not affect medical doctors because the housemanship of medical doctors is already captured in the wage structure of CONMESS.
“He also told the forum that the domestication of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) in the states falls squarely on the shoulders of Governors and State Houses of Assembly for resident doctors in state specialists hospitals because health is on concurrent list of the constitution.
“Besides the Federal Government already has the Medical Residency Training Act of 2018 for federal residents, arguing further that house officers and general medical officers by strict job description, are not members of NARD which is an exclusive body for doctors on residency training.

“Hence this group should only be catered for by the Nigerian Medical Association and should not have downed tools.

“He maintained that the Federal Government Medical Residency Training Fund for 2021 was captured under the service wide vote in the 2021 supplementary budget which was signed by the President on the eve of his departure to the United Kingdom and has therefore become a Financial Act.

“The Minister noted that the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning is already moving funds into various compartments such as Covid-19 vaccines and other medical subheads and gave assurance that requests from medical colleges will be sorted out within the next seven working days, with funds moved to the accounts of resident doctors and should not have been an item for the strike.
The Nigeria Medical Association has said it would join industrial action if resident doctors were not paid all their due wages to call off the strike.
The NMA in a statement issued on Friday, signed by its Chairman on Inter Affiliate Affairs, Dr Rosemary Uzowulu, titled: “High cost of governance maintained yet payment of doctors to avert health sector destruction a failure from government”, described the ongoing strike as uncalled for if those in corridors of power were sincere. The body of doctors accused the political leaders of playing game with health of Nigerians because they could afford overseas medical treatment.
The statement partly read: “it is most unfortunate that budget allocation for newspapers for assembly members, state governors, presidency are approved and implemented within days of signing by Mr President, and yet the residency training allocation budgeted and endorsed cannot be implemented.The country in face of high cost of governance has decided to use the health of her subject to play chess game where king and queens display power of crown by killing their guards. I call on well meaning Nigerians across the country to quickly put a stop to the strike by mandating those concerned including the state governors for state hospitals to pay the resident doctors all their due wages or stand the chance of black cloud collapse from NMA if the battle lingers.”

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NAFDAC Raises Alarm Over Toxic Pesticides in Beans, Seizes ₦800m Banned Chemicals

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13 hours ago

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October 10, 2026

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NAFDAC Raises Alarm Over Toxic Pesticides in Beans, Seizes ₦800m Banned Chemicals
NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye
NAFDAC Raises Alarm Over Toxic Pesticides in Beans, Seizes ₦800m Banned Chemicals

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised the alarm over the detection of dangerous pesticide residues in some samples of beans sold in Nigeria, warning that the misuse of agricultural chemicals poses serious risks to public health.

The agency also disclosed that it seized banned agrochemicals worth more than ₦800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in 2025, as part of efforts to prevent prohibited chemicals from entering the food supply chain.

NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed the findings during a media briefing on pesticide safety in Lagos on Friday, October 9, 2026.

According to the agency, a recent market study detected residues of pyrethroids and dimethoate above permitted safety limits in some bean samples, raising concerns about the improper use of pesticides to preserve harvested agricultural produce.

Adeyeye explained that although pesticides play an important role in crop protection, their use must comply with approved regulations and safety instructions.

She warned that the misuse of chemicals, excessive application and failure to observe the prescribed waiting period between pesticide application and harvesting could expose consumers, farmers and the environment to harmful substances.

The NAFDAC chief stressed that a pesticide approved for use on crops in the field is not automatically suitable for preserving harvested food products.

She specifically cautioned against using dimethoate to preserve harvested beans against pests such as weevils, noting that the chemical was not approved for that purpose.

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While certain pyrethroids are permitted for post-harvest storage under approved conditions, she said users must follow the prescribed instructions and safety requirements.

Adeyeye identified common violations to include applying excessive quantities of pesticides, using products on crops for which they were not approved, harvesting before the recommended waiting period and improperly mixing chemicals.

She also warned against storing pesticides alongside food, animal feed or household items, reusing empty chemical containers for domestic purposes and disposing of pesticide waste carelessly.

NAFDAC Seizes Banned Chemicals Worth ₦800m

Providing details of the agency’s enforcement operations, Adeyeye said NAFDAC seized banned agrochemicals worth more than ₦800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in 2025.

She added that enforcement operations in the North-West between September 2024 and July 2026 resulted in the seizure, interception or recovery of 2,974 cartons of pesticides containing paraquat, valued at approximately ₦148.7 million.

The agency also intercepted 120 cartons of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos, valued at more than ₦17 million, during the same period.

In a separate operation in Kebbi State, authorities intercepted 5,619 cartons containing 67,428 litres of paraquat, alongside 500 cartons of atrazine products.

The agency said the affected chemicals were among products prohibited under its regulatory measures, with the applicable phase-out periods for paraquat, chlorpyrifos and atrazine ending on January 1, 2026.

NAFDAC also disclosed that it sealed four unauthorised pesticide and agrochemical manufacturing facilities in Bichi, Kano State, in July 2026. Officials reportedly discovered unlabelled products, bulk chemicals and packaging materials associated with illegal production.

Adeyeye said suspects had been arrested in connection with enforcement operations, with one case undergoing prosecution.

She attributed the continued circulation of banned pesticides partly to illegal importation, unauthorised local production and distribution through unofficial supply channels.

The agency also announced restrictions on the 100-millilitre pack size of dichlorvos, prohibiting its importation, manufacture and sale in open markets and supermarkets because of concerns about its misuse on agricultural produce and other risks.

NAFDAC Warns Farmers, Dealers and Consumers

Adeyeye urged farmers to purchase pesticides from recognised agro-input dealers, use only approved products and follow label instructions, including recommended quantities and pre-harvest waiting periods.

Manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers were also warned to comply with regulatory requirements, while businesses involved in illegal production and distribution could face enforcement action and prosecution.

The agency said it was strengthening surveillance, laboratory testing, inspections and collaboration with law enforcement authorities to identify and remove prohibited chemicals from circulation.

It has also trained more than 2,000 agro-input dealers on responsible pesticide handling and application, while expanding its enforcement zonal offices from three to six to improve regulatory coverage.

Deputy Director of Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products at NAFDAC, Dr Idayat Mudshiru, said continued engagement with farmers and other stakeholders was essential to reducing pesticide misuse.

She said the agency was working with industry stakeholders, including CropLife, to improve public awareness and promote safe handling and application of agricultural chemicals.

The agency emphasised that protecting Nigerians from harmful pesticide residues requires coordinated action across the agricultural value chain, from chemical manufacturers and importers to dealers and farmers.

The findings underscore the importance of food safety monitoring and proper pesticide management, particularly for staple foods such as beans that are widely consumed in Nigerian households.

 

NAFDAC Raises Alarm Over Toxic Pesticides in Beans, Seizes ₦800m Banned Chemicals

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NAFDAC Disowns Viral Fake Products List, Warns Nigerians of Misinformation

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1 day ago

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October 9, 2026

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NAFDAC Disowns Viral Fake Products List, Warns Nigerians of Misinformation
NAFDAC DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

NAFDAC Disowns Viral Fake Products List, Warns Nigerians of Misinformation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against circulating a viral social media list alleging that several products sold in the country are fake, adulterated or substandard, saying the list is not an official communication from the agency.

The warning comes amid growing concern among consumers over the authenticity and safety of products available in Nigerian markets, with unverified claims circulating online about food, beverages, medicines and other consumer goods.

NAFDAC cautioned that sharing unconfirmed allegations could mislead the public, trigger unnecessary panic and damage the reputation of legitimate manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

The agency stressed that the appearance of a product or brand on a social media list does not automatically establish that it is counterfeit, adulterated or unsafe for consumption or use.

According to the regulator, claims about the safety or quality of products must be assessed through appropriate regulatory procedures, including investigations, product sampling and laboratory testing where necessary.

NAFDAC also explained that official product alerts and recall notices contain verifiable information about the affected products and any regulatory action taken. Consumers were therefore urged to distinguish between confirmed safety warnings and claims circulated by individuals or unofficial social media accounts.

The agency advised Nigerians to consult its official communication channels for information on product recalls, safety alerts, counterfeit medicines and substandard consumer goods before acting on or sharing such claims.

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It further encouraged consumers to report suspected fake or adulterated products to the appropriate authorities for investigation rather than relying solely on viral posts.

NAFDAC warned that the indiscriminate circulation of unverified product allegations could have serious consequences for businesses whose products are wrongly identified, while also making it more difficult for consumers to distinguish genuine safety warnings from misinformation.

The agency’s position highlights the importance of verifying product-related information, particularly when allegations involve widely used brands or essential household items.

Consumers should check the details of any official warning, including the product name, batch number, registration details and instructions issued by the regulator. Where a specific product has been recalled or flagged, the applicable notice should guide consumers on whether to stop using it or take other recommended precautions.

The public is also encouraged to report suspicious products, misleading labels and suspected counterfeit goods through NAFDAC’s official reporting channels.

The agency reiterated the importance of protecting public health and urged Nigerians to verify claims before sharing them online.

Consumers should note that the warning about the viral list does not mean every product named in it has been independently cleared as safe. The status of any particular product should be determined through verified regulatory information and applicable official notices.

NAFDAC Disowns Viral Fake Products List, Warns Nigerians of Misinformation

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‘We Are Ignorant, We Don’t Read’ — NAFDAC DG Raises Food Safety Concerns

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3 days ago

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October 7, 2026

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NAFDAC Disowns Viral Fake Products List, Warns Nigerians of Misinformation
NAFDAC DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

‘We Are Ignorant, We Don’t Read’ — NAFDAC DG Raises Food Safety Concerns

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has said poor understanding of food safety guidelines and regulatory responsibilities remains a major challenge in Nigeria.

Adeyeye made the remarks while explaining the roles of government agencies in regulating food products and agricultural practices across the country.

“We are ignorant in this country. We are very ignorant. We don’t read. We don’t understand,” the NAFDAC DG said.

She explained that several government agencies are responsible for different stages of the food chain, from production on the farm to consumption, stressing that NAFDAC’s mandate primarily covers processed and semi-processed foods.

According to Adeyeye, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has the primary responsibility for fresh agricultural produce sold in markets.

“NAFDAC mandate is for processed or semi-processed foods. So the oranges you buy in the market, we don’t control the oranges you buy in the market,” she said.

However, she said NAFDAC has regulatory responsibilities when pesticides are used in agricultural production because the agency approves, regulates and controls such products.

Adeyeye said NAFDAC works with the Ministry of Agriculture to train farmers on the proper use of pesticides, including the quantity to apply and the appropriate period between treatment and harvesting.

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She said some farmers may misuse agricultural chemicals because they do not fully understand instructions on pesticide labels.

“We have about 56 per cent illiteracy. If it’s a literate country, they will read: ‘Put one teaspoon in one gallon.’ Sometimes our people don’t understand. And they think the more you put, the better,” she said.

The NAFDAC chief said the agency’s Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products Directorate also trains farmers and other stakeholders on the appropriate use of pesticides.

She, however, noted that NAFDAC cannot independently reach the entire farming population because of the number of farmers across the country.

“We cannot go to one million farmers in Nigeria. NAFDAC cannot do that. It is the Ministry of Agriculture that should be doing that,” Adeyeye said.

She added that while NAFDAC has an obligation to support farmer education because of its role in regulating pesticides, the Ministry of Agriculture should take the lead in educating farmers on fresh produce and agricultural practices.

Adeyeye also said many Nigerians do not understand the specific responsibilities of government agencies involved in food regulation, resulting in misplaced expectations about what NAFDAC can regulate.

The comments come amid continuing concerns over food safety, pesticide misuse, counterfeit products and consumer protection in Nigeria.

Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC receives more than 200 complaints from Nigerians through its complaint channels each month. The agency also reported receiving 225 complaints involving suspected counterfeit products in August.

She said complaints from consumers provide important leads for NAFDAC’s investigations and enforcement activities.

The agency has continued to urge Nigerians to pay attention to product information, follow safety instructions and report suspected counterfeit, substandard or unsafe products through its established channels.

‘We Are Ignorant, We Don’t Read’ — NAFDAC DG Raises Food Safety Concerns

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