Resident Doctors Meet Today as Ultimatum to FG Nears Deadline

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) will today (Wednesday) hold its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to decide its next line of action as a 10-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government draws to a close.

The doctors had earlier threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if their long-standing demands were not addressed, raising fears of fresh disruption to the country’s overstretched health sector.

Nigeria’s public healthcare system is already under severe strain, battling shortages of medical personnel, poor infrastructure, and overcrowded facilities. Resident doctors who make up the bulk of the workforce in teaching and specialist hospitals have repeatedly downed tools in recent years over unpaid wages, poor welfare, and substandard working conditions.

In a communiqué issued on September 1, 2025, and signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, the association demanded the immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, and other salary backlogs.

Other demands include payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, restoration of recognition for the West African postgraduate membership certificates, and urgent welfare interventions for resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

The association also urged the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all deserving candidates and called for the immediate implementation of the 2024 CONMESS.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Tuesday, Dr. Osundara confirmed that the outcome of today’s NEC meeting would shape the union’s next step.

“We are holding our NEC meeting tomorrow (today), and the outcome will determine our next line of action. At the meeting, we will review whether the government has made any meaningful progress on addressing our demands. If there is a positive response, it will guide our decision, but if not, the council will take a firm stance on the next steps, including the possibility of industrial action,” he said.

NARD First Vice-President, Dr. Tajudeen Abdulrauf, also echoed the warning, stressing that patience among members was wearing thin.

“The outcome of the meeting will depend on the government’s response to our demands. If they are not addressed, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony, and a strike remains likely. Remember, we gave a three-week ultimatum in July and extended it. In the spirit of dialogue, the NEC mandated the National Officers’ Committee to engage stakeholders for another three weeks, yet nothing has been done. When we meet tomorrow, we will review the government’s response and decide on the next line of action,” he said.

Health experts warn that another nationwide strike could cripple healthcare delivery across the country, pushing patients into costly private care and worsening health outcomes nationwide.