Abuja: The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to commence a total and comprehensive nationwide industrial strike on August 10 if the Federal Government fails to address its outstanding demands.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the resolution was contained in a communiqu© issued at the end of the association’s July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which began on Sunday in Gombe and was made available on Thursday night. The communiqu© was jointly signed by NARD President Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
The association expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of compliance on several welfare and professional issues affecting resident doctors, despite the Federal Government successfully disbursing the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to eligible resident doctors. However, several critical issues remain unresolved.
“The NEC resolved to embark on a Total and Comprehensive Industrial Strike (TICS) commencing at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 10, should the Federal Government fail to satisfactorily address the outstanding issues contained in this communiqu© before the expiration of the stipulated timeline,” the communiqu© stated.
NARD highlighted concerns over delayed payment of the outstanding 25/35 percent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) upward review arrears, 19 months’ Professional Allowance arrears, and promotion arrears owed to doctors in several federal health institutions.
The association expressed further concern over persistent welfare challenges affecting house officers, such as delayed salary payments, unpaid arrears, internship placement bottlenecks, and prolonged onboarding processes. It also condemned the persistent assault, harassment, intimidation, and violent attacks against doctors while on duty, calling for urgent legislative measures to criminalize assaults on healthcare workers nationwide.
Negotiations on the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement have been deemed unsatisfactory by NARD, which called for its accelerated conclusion, signing, and implementation. The association also urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to address excessive workload, prolonged call duty hours, casualization of medical doctors, and abusive locum appointments, and to implement recommendations without further delay.
NARD demanded the immediate payment of all outstanding salary and promotion arrears across federal health institutions and urged the government to resolve welfare challenges affecting house officers. It also called for the rehabilitation and upgrading of public health infrastructure nationwide through modern medical equipment, improved facility maintenance, uninterrupted electricity supply, and better working conditions for healthcare workers.
The association emphasized that governments at both federal and state levels should increase investment in healthcare, strengthen primary healthcare services, accelerate the implementation of Universal Health Coverage, and recruit and retain adequate healthcare personnel. “The NEC reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement and dialogue but reiterated that the welfare of resident doctors and the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system remain non-negotiable.”
NARD also urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration to implement the Professional Allowance Table and settle outstanding CONMESS review arrears and other entitlements owed to doctors. Despite the challenges, the association commended the Federal Government for disbursing the 2026 MRTF to eligible resident doctors, the Federal Character Commission for resolving manpower challenges, and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for intervening in the industrial dispute involving resident doctors at OAUTHC, Ile-Ife.
Additionally, NARD acknowledged the efforts of the governors of Osun, Kaduna, Oyo, Rivers, and Plateau States for improving doctors’ welfare, infrastructure, manpower development, and working conditions in their respective states.
NAN reports that NARD had, during its E-NEC meeting in June, extended by four weeks an earlier 21-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over unresolved welfare and professional concerns. The association had warned that it would activate the process leading to industrial action if the government failed to substantially address the issues within the additional four-week period.