The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has extended its expired 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government by an additional four weeks, warning that it could embark on a nationwide strike if its demands are not addressed within the new deadline.
The decision was reached during the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting, where members reviewed the government’s level of compliance with the demands presented during the May 2026 Ordinary General Meeting. While acknowledging progress in some areas, NARD said several key welfare and professional issues remain unresolved.
Among the association’s major demands are the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), payment of outstanding salaries and arrears for house officers, settlement of unpaid 25% and 35% CONMESS salary review arrears, payment of 19 months’ professional allowance arrears, and the clearance of promotion-related entitlements owed to doctors. The doctors also called for stronger measures to protect healthcare workers from assaults and improved working conditions across health institutions.
NARD declared that an industrial dispute now exists between the association and the Federal Government and warned it could no longer guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week extension. The association also directed its National Officers’ Committee to begin preparations for possible industrial action if the government fails to make satisfactory progress before its next National Executive Council meeting in Gombe State.
The association expressed concern over the continued victimisation of resident doctors at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) and urged authorities to resolve the issues promptly. It maintained that while dialogue remains its preferred option, failure to meet the outstanding demands could disrupt healthcare services across the country.
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Resident Doctors Extend Strike Ultimatum by Four Weeks, Warn FG of Nationwide Action
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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has extended its strike ultimatum by four weeks, warning the Federal Government that unresolved welfare and salary issues could trigger nationwide industrial action.
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Resident doctors under NARD don give the Federal Government extra four weeks to solve their welfare and salary problems. Dem say if government no meet their demands before the new deadline, dem fit begin nationwide strike. The doctors still dey demand payment of salary arrears, allowances, residency training fund and better working conditions for hospitals across Nigeria.
