The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government, issuing a fresh four-week deadline for the implementation of its outstanding demands and warning that a nationwide strike could follow if the issues remain unresolved.
The decision was reached during the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday to review developments after the expiration of its earlier 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government.
In a communiqué issued on Sunday and 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 warned that industrial peace could no longer be guaranteed beyond the new deadline.
“The association cannot guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week window if all its demands are not fully addressed,” the communiqué stated.
NARD also directed its National Officers’ Committee to begin all necessary preparations for industrial action should the government fail to make satisfactory progress within the stipulated period.
The association accused the Federal Government and several health institutions of failing to honour commitments on doctors’ welfare, including the payment of outstanding salaries, allowances and other entitlements.
Among the unresolved issues, NARD said the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) has yet to be released despite repeated assurances. It also expressed concern over delays in the payment of House Officers’ salaries, promotion arrears and other outstanding entitlements across several health institutions.
The association further criticised the continued non-payment of the 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary adjustment arrears and the outstanding 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 communiqué said.
Despite expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of implementation, the association acknowledged progress in some areas, including ongoing efforts to tackle assaults on healthcare workers and the near completion of ministerial committee reports investigating workplace violence, excessive workload, prolonged call hours, casualisation of doctors and abusive locum appointments.
NARD also commended some state governments and private tertiary health institutions for implementing welfare improvements, including the payment of Professional Allowance arrears, Specialist Allowance, revised CONMESS salaries and the Medical Residency Training Fund.
However, the association maintained that the Federal Government’s implementation of previously agreed resolutions remains slow and inadequate.
Its key demands include the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of all outstanding salaries, promotion and Professional Allowance arrears, full implementation of the revised CONMESS salary structure, stronger protection for healthcare workers against assaults and accelerated implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement.
NARD also called for the immediate submission, approval and implementation of recommendations by ministerial committees investigating excessive workload and poor working conditions affecting doctors nationwide.
The association said it will assess the government’s level of compliance at its July 2026 National Executive Council meeting scheduled to hold in Gombe State, where it is expected to determine its next line of action.
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