Resident doctors, better known as Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), across Nigeria are once again on the brink of industrial action, citing unpaid allowances, unfulfilled promises, and poor welfare conditions as reasons for issuing a 10-day ultimatum to the federal government and state authorities.
The association has given the federal government and other authorities a final 10-day ultimatum to address its pending demands, warning that failure to act would trigger a nationwide strike.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, following an Extraordinary National Executive Council, E-NEC meeting held virtually on Sunday.
According to the Vanguard, the association “recalled that it had earlier given a three-week ultimatum in July, before extending the deadline by another three weeks to allow for further dialogue with stakeholders. However, it expressed disappointment that the government has yet to fulfil its promises.”
NARD revealed that many resident doctors are still unpaid for their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF). It also decried the failure to settle five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, review, along with other longstanding salary arrears.
The doctors also criticized the failure to pay the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance and denounced what they termed the unfair downgrading of membership certificates issued by the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). They further expressed concern over the continued delays by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) in issuing certificates to successful candidates.
On state-level issues, NARD criticised the Kaduna State Government for failing to honour agreements with members at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, despite signed Memoranda of Understanding. It also accused the Oyo State Government of neglecting the welfare concerns of doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, where an indefinite strike is ongoing.
While commending states that have paid the 2025 MRTF, the E-NEC demanded immediate action from the Federal Government and state governors.
Among its key demands are “immediate payment of the 2025 MRTF to all eligible resident doctors; Settlement of outstanding five months’ arrears of CONMESS and other salary backlogs; Payment of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance and commencement of specialist allowance payments to all doctors.”
Others are the restoration of recognition for the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the MDCN, prompt issuance of membership certificates by the NPMCN and implementation of the 2024 CONMESS in Kaduna State and resolution of welfare concerns in Oyo State.
The communiqué urged state governors to give priority to the welfare of doctors, warning that neglecting their needs was fueling emigration and threatening stability within the health sector.
It further noted that the ultimatum had been extended for a final 10 days, giving government agencies until Wednesday, September 10, 2025, to meet the doctors’ demands. NARD cautioned that if no action was taken within the timeframe, it would have no choice but to launch a nationwide strike.
