JUST IN: Doctors issue 10-day ultimatum, threaten strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) issued a 10-day ultimatum to all pertinent government agencies on Monday, cautioning that its members would initiate a nationwide strike if their demands were not satisfied.

NARD communicated this in a statement signed by its President, Dr. Tope Osundara; the General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and the Publicity and Social Secretary, Omoha Amobi, which was released following its Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting conducted virtually on Sunday.

In July, NARD had previously issued a three-week ultimatum; however, in the interest of maintaining industrial harmony, the National Executive Council granted the National Officers’ Committee an additional three weeks to engage with all relevant stakeholders, after which it would reconvene to evaluate the progress of its demands.

During Sunday’s meeting, the Extraordinary National Executive Council expressed its disapproval of the Federal Government's failure to honor its commitments, lamenting that a significant number of resident doctors remain unpaid for their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, along with the refusal to settle the outstanding five months’ arrears resulting from the 25 per cent/35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, in addition to other longstanding salary arrears.

It also condemned the government’s failure to pay the arrears of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.

“The E-NEC expressed displeasure over the unjust downgrading of the membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, as well as the persistent non-issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

“The E-NEC condemned in strong terms the failure of the Kaduna State Government to honour its commitments to members under ARD Kaduna and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, despite earlier agreements and signed Memoranda of Understanding. The E-NEC condemned the failure of the Oyo State Government to address the challenges faced by members of ARD LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, despite an ongoing indefinite strike action in the hospital,” it noted.

It, however, praised state governors who have shown dedication to the welfare of doctors by disbursing the 2025 MRTF.

Meanwhile, the doctors have stated that if their requests are not fulfilled by September 10, 2025, they will initiate a nationwide strike.

E-NEC, however, insists on the prompt payment of the overdue 2025 MRTF to all qualified resident doctors by the Federal Government, in addition to the resolution of the five months’ outstanding CONMESS arrears, along with other long-standing salary debts.

The Council also demands, "The immediate disbursement of the arrears for the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance. The E-NEC calls for the immediate initiation of specialist allowances for all doctors without further delay, considering their essential role in providing specialist medical care throughout the country. The E-NEC urges that the MDCN promptly reinstates the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates to their appropriate status and requests that the NPMCN begin the issuance of membership certificates to all qualified candidates without delay, in accordance with international best practices.

“The E-NEC demands the immediate implementation of the 2024 CONMESS and resolution of all outstanding welfare concerns in Kaduna State, noting that the indefinite strike by our members has already resumed and will continue until these demands are met. The E-NEC demands that the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde, immediately resolve the welfare concerns of resident doctors under the employment of the state government, particularly those at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho.

“The E-NEC urges all State Governors to prioritise the welfare of doctors in their state-owned hospitals and training institutions, ensure the timely payment of MRTF to their resident doctors, and take proactive steps to curb emigration while maintaining industrial harmony.

“The E-NEC extends the ultimatum by a final 10 days to all relevant government agencies to meet these demands. Failure to do so within this period (expiring on Wednesday, 10th September 2025) will leave the NEC with no other option than to embark on a nationwide strike action.”