Strike: Resident doctors give FG 10-day ultimatum to meet demands

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a 10-day ultimatum to meet its demands, failing which the association will embark on a nationwide strike.

The demands include the immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to all eligible resident doctors, the prompt settlement of outstanding salary arrears, and the payment of specialist allowances.

The President of NARD, Dr Osundara Tope, the Secretary-General, Dr Odunbanku Kazeem Oluwashola, and the Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Amobi Omoha, in a communiqué signed at the end of the E-NEC meeting and made available to Tribune Online, demanded the immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to all eligible resident doctors by the Federal Government.

NARD noted that the association has been engaging with the government on these issues, but to no avail. “Despite the three-week ultimatum earlier issued, the Federal Government has failed to address these critical issues, thereby aggravating the hardship faced by doctors nationwide,” Dr Tope said.

The association also demands the prompt settlement of the outstanding five months’ arrears arising from the 25%/35% CONMESS review, alongside other long-standing salary arrears. “The E-NEC demands the prompt settlement of the outstanding five (5) months’ arrears arising from the 25%/35% CONMESS review, alongside other long-standing salary arrears,” Dr Tope added.

Additionally, NARD demands the immediate payment of the arrears of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance. “The E-NEC demands the immediate payment of the arrears of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance,” Dr Omoha stated.

The association further demands the commencement of payment of specialist allowances to all doctors without further delay. “The E-NEC demands the commencement of payment of specialist allowances to all doctors without further delay, given their indispensable role in delivering specialist medical care across the nation,” Dr Tope said.

NARD stated that the ultimatum expires on Wednesday, 10 September 2025. “The E-NEC extends the ultimatum by a final 10 days to all relevant government agencies to meet these demands, and failure to do so within this period will leave the NEC with no other option than to embark on a nationwide strike,” Dr Tope warned.

The association also condemned the failure of some state governments to pay the MRTF to resident doctors under their employment, describing it as an act of negligence and insensitivity. NARD is demanding that state governors prioritise the welfare of doctors in their state-owned hospitals and training institutions and ensure the timely payment of MRTF to their resident doctors.

Furthermore, NARD demands that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) immediately restore the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates to their rightful status. “The E-NEC demands that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) immediately restore the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates to their rightful status,” Dr Tope said.

The association also demands that the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) commence without delay the issuance of membership certificates to all deserving candidates. “The E-NEC calls on the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) to commence without delay the issuance of membership certificates to all deserving candidates, in line with international best practices,” Dr Oluwashola stated.

NARD also demands the immediate implementation of the 2024 CONMESS and the resolution of all outstanding welfare concerns in Kaduna State. “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,” Dr Omoha said.

The association 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 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 communiqué concluded.

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