The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a fresh warning to the Federal Government, giving authorities another four weeks to address lingering welfare and salary-related issues or risk a nationwide strike.
The association said its members may be left with no option but to withdraw services if urgent steps are not taken to resolve several unresolved concerns affecting doctors across the country.
This decision followed an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Saturday, where members reviewed developments after the expiration of the earlier 21-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government.
In a communiqué released after the meeting, NARD expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of government action, saying several promises made to doctors remain unfulfilled.
The communiqué was 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.
According to the association, patience among resident doctors is wearing thin as the continued delay in implementing agreed welfare packages is worsening the burden on healthcare workers already battling difficult working conditions.
“The association cannot guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week window if all its demands are not fully addressed,” the communiqué warned.
NARD said its National Officers’ Committee has now been directed to begin necessary preparations for industrial action should the government fail to show meaningful progress within the new deadline.
Among the major concerns raised by the doctors is the failure of the Federal Government to release the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), despite repeated assurances.
The association described the delay as unacceptable, stressing that the fund remains critical to the training and development of resident doctors nationwide.
NARD also raised concerns over the continued delay in the payment of salaries and entitlements owed to House Officers in several medical institutions across the country.
The association said many doctors are still owed various allowances and arrears, creating serious financial hardship.
It further listed the non-payment of the 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary review arrears and the backlog of 19 months’ Professional Allowance arrears among unresolved issues requiring urgent attention.
“NARD can no longer tolerate the hardship being imposed on doctors through persistent delays in salaries and welfare payments,” the communiqué stated.
The resident doctors also accused the management of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, of continued victimisation of its members.
The association warned against actions capable of intimidating or harassing resident doctors, insisting it would strongly resist any move that threatens the welfare or rights of its members.
NARD also condemned what it described as attempts to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions.