The National Association of Resident Doctors has given the federal government two weeks to resolve outstanding welfare and professional issues or face possible industrial action.
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the federal government to resolve outstanding welfare and professional issues affecting its members.
At its 46th Annual General Meeting on Sunday in Calabar, Cross River State, NARD warned that failure to resolve the outstanding issues could trigger industrial action.
The resolutions were read by Dr. Ogar Emmanuel Idoko, the association’s national president, who was elected to lead NARD at the same meeting alongside other members of the National Executive Council.
Frustration Over Slow Implementation
NARD expressed concern over the slow pace of implementation of agreements reached between the association and the federal government, saying prolonged delays had become unacceptable. The association noted that several agreements and commitments remained unresolved despite repeated meetings and assurances,and urged the government to use the two-week window to address the outstanding issues and avert a breakdown of industrial harmony in the health sector.
The doctors demanded immediate action on outstanding issues relating to remuneration, career progression, professional allowances, excessive workload, manpower shortages and the general welfare of resident doctors.
They called for “the immediate implementation of agreements reached with the federal government, particularly those relating to improved conditions of service and professional development.”
On remuneration, the resolution read: “The government concluded the review of existing remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors, saying the current framework no longer adequately reflected prevailing economic realities.” NARD also demanded prompt payment of salaries and entitlements owed to house officers.
Doctors’ Workload, Safety and Migration Concerns
The association demanded appropriate compensation for excess workload arising from manpower shortages in hospitals, noting that resident doctors are increasingly carrying additional responsibilities. NARD called for standardised templates for compensation for excess workload and reliable data to justify payments to doctors performing duties beyond their normal responsibilities.
It expressed concern over attacks on health workers and called for the full implementation of policies and anti-assault measures designed to protect doctors and other medical personnel in hospitals.
NARD also raised concern over the continuing migration of doctors and other health professionals from Nigeria, urging the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to urgently address the factors responsible for the exodus.
The association further called on state governments to prioritise the welfare of doctors and other health workers employed by their respective institutions and ensure the implementation of relevant welfare policies, and urged the National Assembly to strengthen budgetary allocations to the health sector, stressing that adequate funding was essential to addressing persistent challenges in healthcare delivery.
A Familiar Pattern
The latest ultimatum follows months of disputes between resident doctors and the federal government over salaries, allowances, training funds and other welfare demands.
In April 2026, NARD suspended a planned indefinite nationwide strike after receiving fresh commitments from the federal government on outstanding allowances, salary arrears and funding for medical residency training. Earlier, in January, the National Industrial Court in Abuja restrained the association from proceeding with a nationwide strike scheduled to begin on January 12, 2026, after the federal government and the Attorney-General of the Federation approached the court amid disagreements over the implementation of agreements reached in previous negotiations.
NARD said resolving the disputes would improve doctors’ welfare, reduce burnout and ultimately contribute to better healthcare delivery for Nigerians.
