The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued the Federal Government a fresh four-week ultimatum to meet its outstanding demands, warning that it may embark on a nationwide strike if the issues remain unresolved.
The decision was reached during an Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually after the expiration of an earlier 21-day ultimatum.
In a communiqué signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the association said it could no longer guarantee industrial harmony beyond the new deadline.
The doctors also directed the National Officers’ Committee to begin preparations for industrial action should the Federal Government fail to address their concerns within the stipulated period.
NARD accused the government and some health institutions of failing to honour agreements relating to doctors’ welfare, citing delays in the payment of salaries, allowances and other entitlements.
Among the unresolved issues listed by the association are the non-release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), delayed payment of house officers’ salaries, unpaid promotion arrears, outstanding Professional Allowance arrears covering 19 months, and the backlog of the 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary review arrears.
The association also expressed concern over the alleged victimisation of its members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, warning against intimidation and harassment of resident doctors.
NARD further criticised the reintroduction of bench fees for resident doctors in some private tertiary health institutions despite an existing government directive abolishing the practice.
The association also faulted the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) over the continued non-provision of call meals for doctors on duty, describing the situation as anti-welfare and warning that the hospital would be held responsible for any industrial unrest arising from the issue.
Despite its grievances, NARD acknowledged ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to address assaults on healthcare workers and welcomed the work of ministerial committees investigating workplace violence, excessive workload, prolonged call hours, casualisation of doctors and abusive locum appointments.
The association also commended some state governments and private tertiary health institutions for implementing welfare measures, including the payment of Professional Allowance arrears, Specialist Allowance, revised CONMESS salary adjustments and the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund.
However, NARD maintained that the implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government remained slow and unsatisfactory.
The association is demanding the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of all outstanding salaries and allowances, full implementation of the revised CONMESS salary structure, improved protection for healthcare workers against assaults, accelerated implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement, and prompt execution of recommendations from ministerial committees on doctors’ working conditions.
NARD said it would review the Federal Government’s level of compliance at its National Executive Council meeting scheduled to hold in Gombe State in July, where it will decide on its next line of action.
