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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) issued a 10 day ultimatum on Monday, September 1, to federal government, warning that its members would begin a nationwide strike if their demands were not met.
The NARD president, Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Omoha Amobi, issued the ultimatum after a virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting on Sunday.
In July, NARD had issued a three-week ultimatum, but in the interest of industrial harmony, the NEC granted the National Officers’ Committee an additional three weeks to engage with all relevant stakeholders.
Following that period, the committee was to reconvene and reassess the implementation of its demands.
During Sunday’s meeting, the E-NEC condemned the Federal Government’s failure to fulfill its promises.
The council noted with dismay that a significant number of resident doctors have yet to receive their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.
The council also highlighted the government’s refusal to pay the outstanding five months’ arrears from the 25%/35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, along with other longstanding salary arrears.
It also condemned the government’s failure to pay the arrears of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.
It stated, “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 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 E-NEC commended state governors who have demonstrated a commitment to the welfare of doctors by paying the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
The doctors, however, stated that they will begin a nationwide strike if their demands are not met by September 10.
The E-NEC demands the immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 MRTF to all eligible resident doctors by the federal government, as well as the settlement of the outstanding five months’ arrears of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), in addition to other longstanding salary 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, 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.”
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