The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government, extending the deadline to meet outstanding demands by four weeks. The association warned that it may initiate a nationwide strike if these issues are not resolved within the new timeframe.
This decision was reached during NARD’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting, held virtually on Saturday, to review progress following the expiration of a previous 21-day ultimatum issued to the government. In a communiqué released on Sunday and signed by NARD President Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the association stated that it could not guarantee continued industrial peace beyond the extended four-week period if its demands remain unmet.
NARD has also directed its National Officers’ Committee to prepare for industrial action should the government fail to demonstrate satisfactory compliance within the stipulated period. The association accused the Federal Government and several health institutions of not fulfilling promises related to doctors’ welfare, including payment of outstanding salaries, allowances, and other entitlements.
Among the unresolved issues, NARD highlighted the non-disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) despite repeated government assurances, as well as persistent delays in the payment of House Officers’ salaries and other entitlements in several centres. The association further criticized the continued non-payment of the 25/35 percent CONMESS upward review arrears and 19 months’ worth of Professional Allowance arrears, stating that it can no longer tolerate the resulting hardship for doctors.
NARD also raised concerns about ongoing victimisation of its members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in Ile-Ife, vowing to resist any form of intimidation or harassment. The association condemned the OAUTHC management’s attempt to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions, despite a government circular banning the practice. Additionally, NARD criticised the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) management for refusing to provide call meals for resident doctors on duty, labelling the denial as an anti-welfare practice and warning that any hospital failing to provide this entitlement would be held responsible for any resulting industrial unrest.
Despite these grievances, NARD acknowledged some progress, such as efforts to address assaults on healthcare workers and the near completion of reports by ministerial committees investigating workplace violence, excessive workloads, long call hours, casualisation of doctors, and abusive locum appointments. The association also commended some state governments and private tertiary health institutions for implementing welfare measures, including payment of Professional Allowance and Specialist Allowance arrears, salary adjustments under the reviewed CONMESS structure, and disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund.
Nevertheless, NARD maintained that overall implementation of agreements with the Federal Government has been slow and unsatisfactory. The association’s demands include the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of all outstanding salary, promotion and Professional Allowance arrears, implementation of the reviewed CONMESS salary structure, improved protection for healthcare workers, and swift execution of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement.
NARD also called for the immediate submission, approval, and implementation of recommendations by ministerial committees investigating excessive workload and poor working conditions for doctors. The association stated it will review compliance with its resolutions at its next National Executive Council meeting, scheduled for July 2026 in Gombe State.
