The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) issued a 10-day ultimatum to all relevant government agencies on Monday, warning that its members would embark on a nationwide strike if the demands were not met.
NARD announced this in a communiqué signed by its president, Dr. Tope Osundara; general secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and publicity and social secretary, Omoha Amobi, following its Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, which took place virtually on Sunday.
NARD issued a three-week ultimatum in July, but in the interest of maintaining industrial unity, the NEC permitted the National Officers’ Committee a further three weeks to engage with all relevant parties before reconvening to examine the extent to which its requests had been met.
The E-NEC condemned the Federal Government’s failure to keep its promises at Sunday’s meeting, noting with dismay that a significant number of resident doctors have yet to be paid for their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, as well as the refusal to pay the outstanding five months’ arrears arising from the 25%/35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, as well as other longstanding salary arrears.
It also lambasted the government’s failure to pay the Accoutrement Allowance arrears for 2024.
“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 E-NEC condemned in strong terms the failure of the Kaduna State Government to honor 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,” it noted.
It did, however, congratulate state governors for paying the 2025 MRTF, demonstrating their commitment to doctors’ welfare.
Meanwhile, the doctors announced that if their demands are not granted by September 10, 2025, they will go on strike nationwide.
However, E-NEC requests that the Federal Government pay the due 2025 MRTF to all eligible resident doctors immediately, as well as satisfy the outstanding five months’ CONMESS arrears, as well as other chronic wage arrears.
The Council also demands “the immediate payment of the arrears of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance. The E-NEC demands the commencement of payment of specialist allowances to all doctors without further delay, given their indispensable role in delivering specialist medical care across the nation.
“The E-NEC demands that the MDCN immediately restore the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates to their rightful status and calls on the NPMCN to commence without delay the issuance of membership certificates to all deserving candidates, in line with international best practices.
“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 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 prioritize 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.”
