The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a final ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning that its members will begin a nationwide indefinite industrial strike from August 10 if longstanding welfare and professional concerns are not resolved.
The decision was reached during the association’s July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Gombe and was contained in a communiqué released on Thursday night.
The communiqué was 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 resolution followed an assessment of previous agreements and engagements with the Federal Government, with members expressing disappointment over what they described as slow progress in addressing key issues affecting resident doctors.
Although NARD acknowledged the Federal Government’s payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to qualified resident doctors, it said several outstanding matters remain unresolved.
The association warned that unless the government addresses its demands before the expiration of the deadline, members will commence a “Total and Comprehensive Industrial Strike” at 8:00 a.m. on August 10.
Among its major grievances are the unpaid 25/35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) adjustment arrears, 19 months of outstanding professional allowance arrears, and promotion arrears owed to doctors across several federal health institutions.
NARD also raised concerns over welfare challenges affecting house officers, including delayed salary payments, unpaid entitlements, difficulties in securing internship placements, and prolonged onboarding procedures.
The association condemned the growing cases of assault, intimidation and attacks on doctors while carrying out their duties, describing the incidents as unacceptable. It called on lawmakers to enact legislation that would criminalise violence against healthcare workers.
It further expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of negotiations on the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement and urged the Federal Government to conclude, sign and implement the agreement without further delay.
NARD also called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to conclude the work of its committee on excessive workload, prolonged call duty hours, casualisation of medical practitioners and abusive locum appointments, while implementing the committee’s recommendations.
The association demanded the immediate payment of all outstanding salary and promotion arrears and urged authorities to improve welfare conditions for house officers nationwide.
It also appealed for increased investment in Nigeria’s healthcare sector through the rehabilitation of public hospitals, provision of modern medical equipment, reliable electricity supply, improved working conditions and the recruitment and retention of qualified healthcare professionals.
NARD stressed that both the federal and state governments must strengthen primary healthcare services and accelerate the implementation of universal health coverage to improve healthcare delivery across the country.
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue, the association maintained that the welfare of resident doctors and the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system could not be compromised.
The doctors also urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration to implement the approved Professional Allowance Table and settle all outstanding CONMESS review arrears and other benefits owed to medical personnel.
Despite its grievances, NARD commended the Federal Government for disbursing the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, praised the Federal Character Commission for addressing manpower shortages through timely compliance approvals, 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 (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife.
The association also lauded the governors of Osun, Kaduna, Oyo, Rivers and Plateau states for initiatives aimed at improving doctors’ welfare, healthcare infrastructure and working conditions.
NARD had earlier extended by four weeks a previous 21-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government during its June emergency NEC meeting, warning that industrial action would follow if its demands remained unresolved after the extension period.
