Resident Doctors Declare Industrial Dispute, Give Federal Government Fresh Four Week Deadline
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government, extending by four weeks the deadline for the implementation of its outstanding demands and warning that it may embark on a nationwide strike if the issues remain unresolved.
The decision was reached during the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually to review developments following the expiration of its earlier twenty one day ultimatum. In a communiqué 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 said it could no longer guarantee industrial harmony beyond the new four week deadline if its demands were not fully addressed.
NARD directed its National Officers Committee to begin all necessary preparations for possible industrial action should the Federal Government fail to demonstrate satisfactory compliance within the stipulated period. The association accused the government and several health institutions of failing to honour agreements relating to doctors’ welfare, including the payment of outstanding salaries, allowances and other entitlements.
Among the unresolved issues identified by the association are the non release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, delays in the payment of House Officers’ salaries, unpaid promotion arrears, outstanding Professional Allowance arrears covering nineteen months, and the non payment of the twenty five and thirty five per cent CONMESS salary review arrears. NARD also expressed concern over the alleged victimisation of its members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile Ife, opposed moves to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary institutions, and criticised the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital over the continued failure to provide call meals for doctors on duty.
The association acknowledged progress in some areas, including ongoing efforts to address assaults on healthcare workers and the work of ministerial committees investigating workplace violence, excessive workload and poor working conditions. It also commended some state governments and private tertiary health institutions for implementing improved welfare measures. However, NARD maintained that the Federal Government had been slow in fulfilling its commitments and said it would review the level of compliance at its National Executive Council meeting scheduled for July 2026 in Gombe State.
