The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced plans to hold an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting on Saturday, October 25, 2025, to review its 30-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over unresolved welfare and policy demands.
In a notice obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday, the association stated that the meeting, which will be held virtually will evaluate the government’s response to issues affecting resident doctors nationwide.
The notice, signed by NARD Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, partly read, “I am writing to inform you that an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, 25th October 2025. Your presence and participation are crucial in addressing the matter at hand.”
The outcome of the meeting will determine whether the association proceeds with further industrial action.
NARD had, on September 26, given the Federal Government a 30-day deadline to address several outstanding grievances, including poor working conditions, delayed salaries, unpaid arrears, and inadequate welfare provisions.
Among its key demands are the payment of the 25% and 35% upward review arrears of CONMESS, settlement of promotion arrears, and the implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy to fill vacancies left by doctors who have left the country.
The association also condemned the dismissal of five resident doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, describing it as unjust and demoralizing.
NARD further criticised the government’s failure to pay the 2024 accoutrement allowance, the exclusion of resident doctors from specialist allowances, and bureaucratic delays in updating salary structures for doctors who completed postgraduate exams.
The association also expressed concern over worsening brain drain, poor hospital infrastructure, and the continued casualisation of medical professionals, which leaves many without career progression or job security.
In addition, NARD faulted the downgrading of membership certificates issued by the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons and the failure of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue certificates to qualified graduates.
The doctors reiterated that the slow implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Nigerian Medical Association on July 26, 2025, particularly regarding special pension benefits, shows a lack of government commitment to addressing systemic challenges in the health sector.
The association said it remains committed to protecting the welfare of its members and improving the state of healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
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