By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a fresh four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government for the resolution of its long-standing demands and warned that its members would embark on a nationwide industrial action if the issues are not addressed.
The association reached the resolution of the four-week window at its Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday, June 27, following the expiration of an earlier 21-day ultimatum issued to the government.
In a communiqué issued on Sunday, June 28, 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 said it could no longer guarantee industrial harmony beyond the new deadline.
“The association cannot guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week window if all its demands are not fully addressed,” the communiqué read.
NARD also directed its National Officers’ Committee to begin preparations for industrial action should the Federal Government fail to meet its demands within the stipulated period.
The association accused the government and some health institutions of failing to fulfil commitments on doctors’ welfare, including the payment of outstanding salaries, allowances, and other entitlements.
According to the communiqué, the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, which is one of the association’s key concerns, has not been released despite repeated assurances from the government.
The association also cited persistent delays in the payment of house officers’ salaries and other outstanding entitlements across several health facilities.
It further lamented the non-payment of the 25/35 percent CONMESS salary review arrears and 19 months of outstanding professional allowance arrears.
“NARD can no longer tolerate the hardship being imposed on doctors through persistent delays in salaries and welfare payments,” the communiqué added.
The resident doctors also raised concerns over what they described as the victimisation of members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, warning that they would resist any form of intimidation or harassment.
The association equally condemned attempts by the management of the teaching hospital to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions despite an existing government circular abolishing the practice.
NARD also criticised the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for its continued refusal to provide call meals for resident doctors on duty, describing the development as an anti-welfare practice.
It warned that any hospital management that failed to provide the entitlement would be held responsible for any industrial unrest arising from the situation.
The association also acknowledged some positive developments, including ongoing efforts to tackle assaults on healthcare workers and the near-completion of reports by ministerial committees investigating workplace violence, excessive workload, prolonged call hours, casualisation of doctors, and abusive locum appointments.
NARD also commended some state governments and private tertiary health institutions for implementing welfare measures, including the payment of professional allowance arrears, specialist allowance, salary adjustments under the revised CONMESS structure and the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund.
However, it maintained that implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government remained slow and unsatisfactory.
The association demanded the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of all outstanding salary, promotion and professional allowance arrears, implementation of the revised CONMESS salary structure, and improved protection for healthcare workers against assaults.
It further asked for accelerated implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement, and prompt approval and implementation of recommendations by ministerial committees investigating excessive workload and poor working conditions for doctors.
NARD said it would review the government’s level of compliance at its National Executive Council meeting scheduled for July 2026 in Gombe State, adding that it remained committed to constructive engagement with the government while reserving the right to take appropriate action should the issues remain unresolved.
