A nationwide strike is imminent, as citizen doctors extend the deadline

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has extended its deadline to the federal government by four weeks and threatened a nationwide strike if outstanding welfare and professional issues affecting its members are not resolved.

The ultimatum was announced following the Association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturdayq, following the expiration of the previous 21-day ultimatum issued at the Ordinary General Meeting in May 2026.

In a communiqué signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the association said that they had reviewed the report of the National Officials Committee regarding engagement with relevant government agencies and implementation of previous resolutions.

They expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of the federal government to disburse the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) 2026, despite repeated assurances.
They also regret the continuous delays in the payment of DPR Officials’ salaries and unpaid entitlements at several training centers, as well as the non-payment of 25/35 percent CONMESS upward review arrears and 19 months of Professional Allowance arrears.

The association further raised concerns over arrears of unpaid salaries and promotions to doctors in several health institutions across the country.

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NARD also expressed serious concern over the ongoing crisis at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, and accused the hospital management of continuously victimizing resident doctors, a situation it said had a negative impact on healthcare service delivery and residency training.

The association condemned what it described as the OAUTHC management’s attempt to reintroduce surcharges for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions despite a government circular abolishing the practice.

They also faulted the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for allegedly refusing to provide on-call meals to resident doctors despite ongoing engagement, and condemned similar actions by other hospital managements.

Despite the complaints, NARD acknowledged progress in several areas, including efforts by the Ministerial Committee on Assaults on Health Care Workers, which it said had substantially completed its assignment, and the committee addressing excessive workload, prolonged working hours, casualization of physicians and arbitrary site assignments, for which its report is nearing completion.

The association also commended several state government and private health institutions for implementing the reviewed CONMESS salary structure, paying arrears of professional salaries and allowances, disbursing the Medical Residency Training Fund, and introducing other welfare measures for resident doctors.

The report further notes progress in resolving work permit issues involving the Federal Character Commission.
At the end of its deliberations, the E-NEC decided to give the federal government an additional four weeks to fully implement its demands, and compliance will be reviewed at the Association’s National Executive Council meeting in July 2026 in Gombe State.

NARD warned that it could no longer guarantee industrial harmony after the new deadline if their demands remained unresolved.
Therefore, the association directed the National Officials Committee to initiate all necessary processes for possible industrial action if the government fails to demonstrate satisfactory compliance within the stipulated time period.

While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue, NARD emphasized that it reserves the right to take appropriate action if outstanding issues are not addressed after the four-week extension expires.