The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given government agencies a 10-day ultimatum, warning that members will down tools nationwide if their demands are not met.
The communiqué, signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Omoha Amobi, followed the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Sunday.
The association recalled that in July it had initially declared a three-week ultimatum, later extended by another three weeks “in the interest of industrial harmony” to allow engagement with stakeholders before reassessing progress.
At Sunday’s meeting, the E-NEC condemned the Federal Government’s failure to keep its promises, lamenting that “a substantial number of resident doctors remain unpaid for their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund” and citing the non-payment of “the outstanding five months’ arrears arising from the 25 per cent/35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, as well as other longstanding salary arrears.”
It further faulted the non-payment of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance and raised concerns over the downgrading of postgraduate certificates. “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 Council also criticised Kaduna and Oyo State governments for failing to meet agreements and address ongoing welfare crises. “The E-NEC condemned in strong terms the failure of the Kaduna State Government to honour its commitments… 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.”
While commending some governors who have already paid the 2025 MRTF, NARD warned that if all demands are not met by September 10, 2025, a nationwide strike will begin.
The doctors specifically demanded “the immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 MRTF… the settlement of the outstanding five months’ arrears of CONMESS… the immediate payment of the arrears of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance… the commencement of payment of specialist allowances… the immediate restoration of the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates… and the issuance of membership certificates by the NPMCN.”
“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.”
Advertisement
