Resident Doctors Give FG 4-Week Ultimatum Over Unmet Demands, Threaten Strike
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Resident Doctors Give FG 4-Week Ultimatum Over Unmet Demands, Threaten Strike
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve several long-standing issues affecting its members or risk a potential strike action.
This decision followed the Association’s May Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and Scientific Conference, held from May 26 to 31, 2025, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The theme of the event, “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects,” reflected on the complex challenges facing the Nigerian medical profession.
The conference brought together medical experts, government representatives and policymakers to discuss the intersection of ethics, law and healthcare delivery.
In a communique released after the meeting, NARD acknowledged some progress by the Federal Government, particularly the 2025 disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and the clearance of MRTF arrears from 2022 to 2024.
However, the doctors expressed serious concern over persistent issues such as the non-payment of arrears from the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the long-delayed implementation of salary adjustments promised since 2009.
They also condemned the exclusion of resident doctors from specialist allowances and decried the casualization and poor remuneration practices in many tertiary hospitals.
The OGM noted that doctors have endured stagnant salaries for over 16 years without adjustments to reflect inflation or government policy shifts, in violation of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement. This, they said, contradicts the National Policy on Health Workforce which advocates for better incentives to retain medical professionals.
One of the most troubling cases raised was that of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), where resident doctors and medical officers are owed between 7 and 14 months in salary arrears, with March 2024 salaries also yet to be paid.
The communique also condemned the government’s failure to pay 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears and some Chief Medical Directors’ refusal to implement already approved payments.
Despite these challenges, NARD commended the state governments of Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Abia, Benue, Kwara, Enugu, and Delta for their timely health sector reforms and prompt allowance payments.
NARD’s demands include:
Immediate payment of the 25/35% CONMESS salary arrears.
Full implementation of salary adjustments reflecting the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage changes.
Timely disbursement of the 2025 MRTF to all eligible doctors.
Payment of 2023/2024 accoutrement allowance arrears by CMDs and the Federal Government.
Inclusion of resident doctors in the specialist allowance scheme.
Regularisation and full remuneration of locum (temporary) doctors.
Swift resolution of welfare issues at OAUTHC.
The association stated it would allow the government a four-week window to address all outstanding demands. During this period, its National Officers’ Committee will continue to engage with relevant authorities.
“Failure to achieve satisfactory progress will prompt the National Executive Council (NEC) to reassess the situation and determine the next course of action,” the communique affirmed.
NARD expressed appreciation for ongoing dialogue efforts by President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, the Health Ministers, governors and other stakeholders.
Nonetheless, the association warned that patience was running thin.
“We have exercised restraint, we have engaged in dialogue, but the time has come for action.
The well-being of Nigeria’s doctors cannot be postponed indefinitely,” the doctors stressed.
With ongoing medical brain drain and worsening manpower shortages in hospitals nationwide, NARD urged the government to take urgent steps to avoid a deepening healthcare crisis.
