Nigeria’s resident doctors on Sunday gave the federal government a fresh 10-day ultimatum to meet their outstanding demands or face a nationwide strike, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) said.
The association, in a communiqué signed by its President, Dr. Tope Osundara, General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, said the decision followed an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually.
“The E-NEC extends the ultimatum by a final 10 days to all relevant government agencies to meet these demands. Failure to do so by Wednesday, September 10, 2025, will leave us with no option but to embark on a nationwide strike,” the communiqué read.
NARD said it had earlier issued a three-week ultimatum in July, which was later extended by another three weeks to allow for dialogue. But it said the government had failed to fulfil its promises.
According to the association, many resident doctors have yet to be paid their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), while five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review remain unsettled. It also condemned the non-payment of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.
The group criticised what it called the “unjust downgrading” of membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), and faulted delays by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) in issuing certificates to successful candidates.
At the state level, NARD accused the Kaduna State Government of failing to honour agreements with its members at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital despite signed Memoranda of Understanding. It also said the Oyo State Government had neglected welfare concerns of doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, where an indefinite strike is already in effect.
The communiqué demanded immediate payment of the 2025 MRTF to all eligible doctors, settlement of outstanding CONMESS arrears, payment of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance, and commencement of specialist allowance payments. It also called for restoration of recognition for the West African postgraduate membership certificates, prompt issuance of certificates by the NPMCN, and implementation of the 2024 CONMESS in Kaduna State, alongside resolution of welfare concerns in Oyo.
NARD commended states that had paid the 2025 MRTF but stressed that “all state governors must prioritise the welfare of doctors to curb emigration and ensure industrial harmony in the health sector.”