ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued what it describes as a final ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning that resident doctors across the country will embark on a total and comprehensive nationwide strike from Monday, August 10, if longstanding welfare and professional concerns are not addressed.
The decision was reached during the association’s July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Gombe State and was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
According to the association, the ultimatum followed a review of previous engagements with the Federal Government and an assessment of the implementation of earlier resolutions. While acknowledging progress in some areas, NARD said several critical welfare issues affecting resident doctors remain unresolved.
The association commended the Federal Government for successfully disbursing the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to eligible resident doctors. However, it maintained that outstanding welfare concerns continue to negatively impact doctors working in federal health institutions nationwide.
More Read
Among its key demands are the immediate payment of arrears arising from the 25 and 35 percent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), settlement of 19 months of unpaid professional allowance arrears, and the payment of outstanding promotion arrears.
NARD also expressed concern over the continued delay in salary payments to house officers, unpaid arrears, internship placement challenges, and prolonged onboarding processes, warning that these issues are affecting morale within the nation’s healthcare system.
The association further condemned the increasing cases of assault, intimidation, harassment, and attacks on doctors while on duty, describing the incidents as unacceptable. It called on the National Assembly to enact legislation that criminalises attacks on healthcare workers across Nigeria.
In addition, the doctors urged the Federal Government to accelerate negotiations on the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement and implement recommendations from the ministerial committee investigating excessive workloads, prolonged call duty hours, casualisation of medical doctors, and abusive locum appointments.
NARD also appealed for increased investment in Nigeria’s healthcare sector through improved hospital infrastructure, modern medical equipment, reliable electricity supply, stronger primary healthcare services, universal health coverage, and the recruitment and retention of more healthcare professionals.
While reaffirming its preference for dialogue, the association insisted that the welfare of resident doctors and the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system remain non-negotiable.
Despite the dispute, NARD commended the Federal Government for the release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, praised the Federal Character Commission for addressing manpower challenges, and acknowledged the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in resolving the industrial dispute involving resident doctors at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex in Ile-Ife.
The association also applauded the governors of Osun, Kaduna, Oyo, Rivers, and Plateau states for initiatives aimed at improving doctors’ welfare, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and enhancing working conditions.
More Read
The latest ultimatum follows NARD’s earlier decision in June to extend by four weeks a previous 21-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over unresolved welfare and professional issues. The association warned that failure to meet its demands before the deadline would result in a nationwide industrial action beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 10.
