The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has given the Federal Government until August 10, 2026, to address its outstanding welfare and workplace demands or face a nationwide strike.
The decision was reached at the association’s National Executive Council meeting in Gombe, where members reviewed the progress of negotiations with the Federal Ministry of Health and other government agencies.
The doctors expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as delays in implementing previous agreements, particularly those relating to salaries, allowances and working conditions.
NARD warned that it would commence a “Total and Comprehensive Industrial Strike” at 8 a.m. on August 10 if the government failed to meet its demands by the deadline.
Among the key demands are the payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears, the 25/35 per cent CONMESS review arrears and 19 months of unpaid professional allowances.
The association also called for the accelerated implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement and improved welfare for house officers across the country.
The resident doctors further raised concerns over what they described as persistent assaults, harassment, intimidation and violent attacks against medical practitioners.
NARD condemned the incidents as “barbaric” and unacceptable, warning that they posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare system.
The association called on the government to establish a national protocol for preventing attacks on healthcare workers and ensure that such assaults are criminalised.
NARD acknowledged the Federal Government’s payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund to many eligible doctors but urged authorities to immediately settle the entitlements of those who were excluded.
The association also commended the governments of Osun, Kaduna, Oyo, Rivers and Plateau states for efforts to improve doctors’ welfare, urging other state governments to adopt similar measures.
The week-long meeting, presided over by NARD President, Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman, was held under the theme, “Strengthening Healthcare Systems: Resident Doctors at the Forefront.”
The association said it remained committed to dialogue and constructive engagement with the government but insisted that the welfare of resident doctors and the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system remained non-negotiable.
