The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) workers have embarked on an indefinite strike since October.
This action is driven by unresolved issues surrounding the 2024 promotion examinations and unpaid statutory arrears for employees hired in 2022.
The workers, under the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), are demanding a review of the promotion process and the payment of owed benefits.
Adetoboye Ayodeji, chairman of the Kaduna chapter, expressed the union's frustration, stating, "Allowances that were supposed to be approved by December 2022 have still not been approved, and the conditions of service remain unapproved."
He further highlighted that despite over 700 staff members sitting for the promotion exams, only 36 percent were promoted. "We said no, this cannot stand. They must promote at least 80 percent of those who participated," Ayodeji insisted.
The union accuses NAFDAC management of failing to promote staff due to alleged vacancies while simultaneously recruiting outsiders for these roles. This has led to significant dissatisfaction among the workforce, with Ayodeji noting, "How can there be motivation in an agency where only 36 percent of staff get promoted?
This will have a devastating effect on morale, ultimately impacting the health of 200 million Nigerians."
Despite repeated communications and a two-week notice before the strike, the union claims no satisfactory response has been received from NAFDAC's management.
In contrast, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director-General, has denied these allegations, asserting that the agency adheres to established rules regarding arrears and estacodes payments.
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