The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued the Federal Government a fresh 24-hour ultimatum, threatening to begin a nationwide strike if its demands are not met by Friday, September 12. The association’s decision came after a six-hour National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Wednesday, where members reviewed government assurances but insisted that immediate action was now overdue.
NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, said the doctors were willing to give the government one more day in good faith but warned that failure to act would leave the association with no choice but to down tools. “The government promised to address our concerns, but after careful deliberation, we resolved to grant them the next 24 hours to ensure the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund and to attend to our other demands. If there is no action by Thursday, we will commence a strike on Friday,” he said.
At the core of the doctors’ demands is the payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), which over 2,000 resident doctors across the country are still awaiting. They are also demanding settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, as well as payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears and specialist allowances.
Other issues raised include the restoration of recognition for the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the prompt issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), and the resolution of long-standing welfare challenges in Kaduna State. The association also called attention to the plight of its members at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
Resident doctors form the backbone of Nigeria’s healthcare system, handling a large share of clinical services in teaching and federal hospitals. Any strike action by the association often cripples service delivery, leaving hospitals overstretched and patients stranded. A proposed five-day warning strike, which NARD has said could begin Friday, would likely disrupt medical services nationwide.
The association stressed that many of its grievances have lingered despite repeated promises from the government. With tensions building, the next 24 hours will determine whether hospitals across the country face another round of disruptions in service delivery.
