The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government 10 days to address its pending welfare demands or face a nationwide strike.
In a communiqué released on Monday and signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, the doctors said the decision followed an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Sunday.
The association recalled that in July it had initially given a three-week deadline, but later extended it by another three weeks to allow further dialogue with relevant stakeholders. Despite this, it said the government had failed to deliver on its promises.
According to the communiqué, “The E-NEC condemned the failure of the Federal Government to fulfil its promises, noting with dismay that a substantial number of resident doctors remain unpaid for their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund. The government has also refused to pay 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.”
The doctors also faulted the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for “unjustly” downgrading the membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, and criticised the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria over the “persistent non-issuance” of membership certificates.
Other grievances included non-payment of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance and what NARD described as negligence by some state governments towards their doctors.
Specifically, the association accused the Kaduna State Government of failing to honour agreements with its members at ARD Kaduna and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital. It also berated the Oyo State Government for ignoring issues affecting doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, despite an ongoing indefinite strike.
However, NARD commended state governors who have already paid the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, describing the move as a sign of commitment to doctors’ welfare.
The association demanded immediate settlement of all outstanding entitlements, reinstatement of full recognition for postgraduate membership certificates, and urgent resolution of welfare challenges in Kaduna and Oyo states.
It warned: “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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