The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has sent a 10-day ultimatum to all relevant government bodies.
The warning was delivered in a communiqué signed by its president, Tope Osundara, general secretary Oluwasola Odunbaku, and publicity and social secretary Omoha Amobi, following an exceptional national executive council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Sunday.
Resident doctors are medical school graduates who train as specialists. They dominate Nigerian hospital emergency units and play an important role in healthcare delivery across the country.
In July, NARD issued a three-week ultimatum, which was then extended by three weeks, to engage with all key parties before reconvening to examine the extent to which its demands had been met.
During Sunday’s meeting, the E-NEC lambasted the federal government’s failure to keep its pledges, saying that a large number of resident doctors are yet paying for their 2025 medical residency training funds.
The group also decried the failure to pay the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, as well as the outstanding five-month arrears resulting from the review of the 25/35 consolidated medical salary system.
“The E-NEC expressed displeasure over the unjust downgrading of the membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, as well as the persistent non-issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria,” the communique reads.
“The E-NEC condemned in strong terms the failure of the Kaduna State Government to honour its commitments to members under ARD Kaduna and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, despite earlier agreements and signed Memoranda of Understanding.
“The E-NEC condemned the failure of the Oyo State Government to address the challenges faced by members of ARD LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, despite an ongoing indefinite strike action in the hospital.”
The association demanded the immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 MRTF to all eligible resident doctors, the settlement of the outstanding five months’ arrears of CONMESS, the start of payment of specialist allowances to all doctors, and the reinstatement of the West African postgraduate membership certificates to their rightful status.
“The E-NEC demands the immediate implementation of the 2024 CONMESS and resolution of all outstanding welfare concerns in Kaduna State, noting that the indefinite strike by our members has already resumed and will continue until these demands are met,” the communique added.
“The E-NEC demands that the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde, immediately resolve the welfare concerns of resident doctors under the employment of the state government, particularly those at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho.
“The E-NEC urges all State Governors to prioritise the welfare of doctors in their state-owned hospitals and training institutions, ensure the timely payment of MRTF to their resident doctors, and take proactive steps to curb emigration while maintaining industrial harmony.
“The E-NEC extends the ultimatum by a final 10 days to all relevant government agencies to meet these demands.
“Failure to do so within this period (expiring on Wednesday, 10th September 2025) will leave the NEC with no other option than to embark on a nationwide strike action.”
