The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has formally declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government, extending its deadline for the resolution of outstanding demands by another four weeks and cautioning that a nationwide strike may follow if the issues remain unresolved.
The decision was reached during an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday, convened to review developments after the expiration of a previous 21-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government.
In a communiqué released on Sunday and jointly signed by President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the association warned that industrial harmony could no longer be guaranteed beyond the new timeline if its demands are not fully met.
“The association cannot guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week window if all its demands are not fully addressed,” the statement read.
NARD directed its National Officers’ Committee to commence all necessary procedures in preparation for industrial action should the government fail to show adequate compliance within the new deadline.
The doctors faulted the Federal Government and several health institutions for failing to honour agreements relating to welfare, including the payment of outstanding salaries, allowances, and other entitlements.
They specifically highlighted the delayed disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), unpaid House Officers’ salaries in some centres, and the backlog of CONMESS arrears, including the 25/35 per cent upward review and 19 months of Professional Allowance arrears.
According to the association, the continued delay in payments has placed significant hardship on members, describing the situation as unacceptable.
NARD also raised concerns over alleged victimisation of doctors at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, warning against any form of intimidation of its members.
It further criticised attempts by OAUTHC management to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary hospitals, despite a government directive abolishing such charges, and condemned the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for failing to provide call meals for doctors on duty.
While expressing dissatisfaction, the association acknowledged some progress in areas such as efforts to address workplace violence against healthcare workers and ongoing ministerial committee investigations into working conditions, workload, and staffing concerns.
It also commended some state governments and private health institutions that have implemented parts of the welfare agreements, including allowance payments and salary adjustments under the reviewed CONMESS structure.
However, NARD maintained that overall implementation of agreements with the Federal Government has remained slow and inadequate.
The association is demanding the immediate release of the 2026 MRTF, payment of all outstanding salary and allowance arrears, full implementation of the revised CONMESS structure, improved protection for healthcare workers, and urgent action on recommendations from ongoing ministerial committees.
NARD added that compliance with its resolutions will be reviewed at its National Executive Council meeting scheduled for July 2026 in Gombe State.