By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a fresh four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning that its members may embark on a nationwide strike if longstanding welfare and salary-related issues are not resolved within the new deadline.
The warning followed an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Saturday, where the association reviewed developments after the expiration of its earlier 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government.
In a communiqué jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the association expressed disappointment over what it described as the slow pace of government action on its demands.
The resident doctors said several promises made by the Federal Government remain unfulfilled, warning that industrial harmony could no longer be guaranteed beyond the four-week window if the issues were not fully addressed.
“The association cannot guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week window if all its demands are not fully addressed,” the communiqué stated.
NARD said its National Officers’ Committee had been directed to commence preparations for industrial action should the government fail to demonstrate meaningful progress before the deadline expires.
Among the key issues raised by the association is the failure of the Federal Government to release the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), despite repeated assurances.
The doctors described the delay as unacceptable, stressing that the fund is crucial for the training and professional development of resident doctors across the country.
The association also decried the continued delay in the payment of salaries and other entitlements owed to House Officers in several medical institutions, noting that many doctors are still being owed allowances and arrears, thereby worsening their financial hardship.
NARD further demanded the immediate payment of the outstanding 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary review arrears, as well as the backlog of 19 months’ Professional Allowance arrears.
“NARD can no longer tolerate the hardship being imposed on doctors through persistent delays in salaries and welfare payments,” the association said.
The association also accused the management of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, of continued victimisation of its members, warning that it would resist any action aimed at intimidating or harassing resident doctors.
It further condemned what it described as attempts to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions, insisting that such policies would further worsen the burden on doctors already facing difficult working conditions.
Leave a Reply