By Seyi Odewale
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has extended its four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government over unresolved welfare issues.
It warned that it could embark on a nationwide strike if its outstanding demands are not met before its July National Executive Council meeting.
The association declared a formal industrial dispute after reviewing the Federal Government’s response to its earlier 21-day ultimatum, which expired without what it described as satisfactory implementation of agreed commitments.
The decision was reached at NARD’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday.
In a communiqué issued on Sunday and jointly signed by the association’s President, Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the doctors said the new four-week window represented their final opportunity for government intervention.
“The association cannot guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week window if all its demands are not fully addressed,” the communiqué warned.
NARD consequently directed its National Officers’ Committee to begin all necessary preparations for industrial action should the Federal Government fail to comply with its demands within the stipulated period.
The resident doctors accused the Federal Government and the management of several health institutions of failing to honour agreements on doctors’ welfare, particularly the payment of outstanding salaries, allowances and other financial entitlements.
Among the issues listed was the failure to release the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), despite repeated assurances from government authorities.
The association also expressed concern over the persistent delay in the payment of salaries and outstanding entitlements owed to House Officers in several training centres across the country.
NARD further decried the continued non-payment of arrears arising from the 25/35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), as well as the outstanding 19 months’ Professional Allowance arrears owed to its members.
“NARD can no longer tolerate the hardship being imposed on doctors through persistent delays in salaries and welfare payments,” the association declared.
The association also condemned what it described as the continued victimisation of its members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, warning that it would resist any act of intimidation, harassment or victimisation directed at resident doctors.
It equally faulted attempts by the OAUTHC management to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions, despite an existing Federal 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 policy that could undermine staff morale.
The association warned hospital authorities that fail to provide the entitlement would bear responsibility for any industrial unrest arising from the situation.
Despite its grievances, NARD acknowledged progress in some areas, 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.
The association 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.
“While we acknowledge progress in some areas, implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government remains slow and unsatisfactory,” the communiqué added.
NARD renewed its demands for the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of all outstanding salaries, promotion arrears and Professional Allowance, full implementation of the reviewed CONMESS salary structure, improved protection for healthcare workers against assaults, and accelerated implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The association also called for the immediate submission, approval and implementation of the recommendations of ministerial committees investigating excessive workload and poor working conditions affecting doctors across the country.
It said compliance with its resolutions would be reviewed at its National Executive Council meeting scheduled for July 2026 in Gombe State, where members are expected to determine their next course of action should the Federal Government fail to address the outstanding issues.
