Population doctors threaten a new strike of unresolved demands

The Nigerian Resident Doctor Association (NARD) has given the federal government and institutions related to 10-day ultimatum to meet its extraordinary demands or face national strikes.

Ultimatum, which ended on September 10, 2025, was contained in the communication issued after an extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting was held virtually on Sunday.

The document was signed together by President Nard, Dr. Osundara Top; Secretary General, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi.

According to the association, regardless of previous involvement and concessions, the government has failed to overcome the critical problems that affect doctors of the population.

This includes non-payments from 2025 Medical Residence Training Fund (MRTF) to a large number of members, rejection to complete the five-month arrears arising from a consolidated medical salary structure, as well as an extraordinary salary guarantee.

The Doctors Also Decired the Federal Government’s Failure to Pay The 2024 Accountrement Allowance and Expressed Displeasure Over What They Described As the “Unjust Downtgrading” of Membership Certificates Issued by the West African Colleges of Physicians of Physicians of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical And Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN. They further criticized the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) for Failing to Issue Membership Certificates for candidates who meet the requirements.

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At the state level, e-NEC blames the Kaduna state government for allegedly denying the agreement achieved by members at the Barau Dikko Hospital, and cursing the State Government of Oyo for failing to resolve the problem of the welfare of doctors at the Lautch Hospital, Ogbomosho, where the strikes that cannot be regulated unclearly.

However, the association praised the Governor of the State who had paid MRTF 2025, urged others to follow the interests of the industrial harmony.

Nard demands include direct settlement from the MRTF and Conmess arrears in circulation, the start of payment of specialist allowances, recovery of recognition of West African Postgraduate Certificates by MDCN, and quick issuance of certificates by NPMCN.

This association also called for the resolution of urgent welfare problems in Kaduna and Oyo countries, warning that complaints that had not been resolved were at risk of deepening the challenges of the country’s health care.

“E-NEC has expanded the ultimatum with the last 10 days for all relevant government agencies to meet this demand. The failure to do so will leave NEC without choice but to start national strikes,” Communike said.

The doctors began the warning strike in 2023 but suspended him a few days later after the speaker intervention of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.