Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has issued a fresh four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve outstanding welfare and remuneration issues, warning that it may embark on nationwide industrial action if its demands are not met.
The decision was reached at the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Saturday, following the expiration of an earlier 21-day ultimatum.
In a communiqué signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the association declared an industrial dispute with the government and directed its National Officers’ Committee to begin preparations for possible action.
“The association cannot guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week window if all its demands are not fully addressed,” the communiqué stated.
Among the issues raised by the doctors are the non-release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, delays in the payment of salaries and other entitlements for house officers, and outstanding arrears relating to the 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary review and 19 months of Professional Allowance payments.
“NARD can no longer tolerate the hardship being imposed on doctors through persistent delays in salaries and welfare payments,” the communiqué added.
The association also expressed concern over the treatment of its members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, warning against any form of victimisation or harassment.
It further faulted attempts to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions despite an existing government directive abolishing the practice, and criticised the Lagos University Teaching Hospital for failing to provide call meals for doctors on duty.
While acknowledging progress in efforts to address assaults on healthcare workers and improve working conditions, NARD said implementation of agreements reached with the government remained unsatisfactory.
The association commended some state governments and private tertiary institutions for settling Professional Allowance arrears, implementing salary adjustments under the revised CONMESS structure and supporting residency training programmes.
NARD demanded the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of all outstanding salary and allowance arrears, implementation of the revised CONMESS salary structure, stronger protection for healthcare workers and accelerated implementation of agreements aimed at improving doctors’ welfare.
The association said it would assess the government’s response to its demands at its National Executive Council meeting scheduled for July in Gombe State.
