Resident Doctors Issue 10-Day Ultimatum, Threaten Nationwide Strike
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned that its members may embark on a nationwide strike if the Federal Government and state authorities fail to meet their welfare demands within 10 days.
The warning came in a communiqué signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundare, and General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, after an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on Sunday.
NARD explained that the decision followed repeated failures by the government to honour earlier agreements. The doctors expressed concern that many of their members had still not received the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), while outstanding salary arrears remain unpaid despite promises from federal and state authorities. These arrears include five months of the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance, and other entitlements.
The E-NEC also condemned the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for downgrading the membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons. It criticized the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) for failing to issue membership certificates to deserving candidates, calling the situation unprofessional and against international best practices.
On the state level, NARD singled out Kaduna and Oyo governments for neglecting their obligations. It noted that doctors in Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, remain unpaid despite signed agreements, while colleagues at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, continue an indefinite strike with no resolution in sight.
The communiqué, however, acknowledged and commended governors who have already paid the 2025 MRTF, describing them as partners in promoting industrial harmony and curbing the mass migration of doctors abroad.
The doctors listed their immediate demands as:
- Payment of the outstanding 2025 MRTF to all eligible doctors.
- Settlement of the five months’ arrears from the CONMESS review.
- Payment of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.
- Commencement of specialist allowance payments to doctors nationwide.
- Restoration of recognition for West African postgraduate membership certificates by the MDCN.
- Issuance of pending membership certificates by the NPMCN.
- Full implementation of the 2024 CONMESS, alongside urgent resolution of welfare concerns in Kaduna and Oyo states.
NARD warned that failure to meet these demands by Wednesday, September 10, 2025, would leave the association with no choice but to commence a nationwide strike.
“The welfare of doctors must be a priority if the government wants to maintain stability in the health sector and reduce emigration. We have extended the ultimatum by a final 10 days. If nothing changes, we will withdraw our services across the country,” the communiqué read.
With Nigeria already struggling with doctor shortages and frequent industrial actions, a strike by resident doctors could paralyze healthcare services in teaching hospitals and specialist centres nationwide.
