The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a fresh 24-hour ultimatum to address its outstanding demands, following the expiration of an earlier 10-day deadline on September 10.
The decision came after a six-hour virtual meeting of NARD’s National Executive Council on Wednesday.
NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, said the association noted government assurances to resolve the issues but insisted that immediate action was non-negotiable.
In a communiqué signed by Osundara, General Secretary Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, and Publicity Secretary Dr. Omoha Amobi, the doctors demanded urgent payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent CONMESS review, as well as clearance of long-standing salary backlogs.
Other demands include the payment of 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, and recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). They also urged the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue certificates to all deserving candidates, implement the 2024 salary structure, resolve welfare challenges in Kaduna State, and address the plight of resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
Resident doctors form the backbone of Nigeria’s public healthcare system, providing essential services in federal and state hospitals. Any strike action by the association often paralyzes service delivery, leaving patients stranded nationwide.
Speaking on Thursday, Osundara warned that more than 2,000 resident doctors were still awaiting payment of the MRTF.
“The Federal Government called us yesterday (Wednesday) and promised to address our concerns,” he said. “After a six-hour deliberation, we resolved to give the government 24 hours to release the MRTF, upgrade our membership certificates at the MDCN, and meet other key demands. If there is no action by today (Thursday), we will begin an indefinite strike tomorrow (Friday).”
