ABUJA — The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) will today (Wednesday) hold its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to decide its next line of action as the deadline of its strike ultimatum to the Federal Government draws near.
The doctors had earlier issued a 10-day ultimatum to relevant government agencies, warning that members would embark on a nationwide strike if their demands were not met.
The warning comes at a time when Nigeria’s public health system is under severe strain, grappling with a shortage of doctors, poor infrastructure, and overcrowded hospitals. Resident doctors, who form the bulk of the medical workforce in teaching and specialist hospitals, have staged repeated industrial actions in recent years over unpaid wages, poor welfare, and unfavourable working conditions.
Health experts caution that another shutdown could cripple service delivery, pushing patients to costly private hospitals and worsening health outcomes nationwide.
In a communiqué issued on September 1, 2025, and signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, the association demanded:
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Immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.
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Settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 percent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review.
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Clearance of long-standing salary backlogs.
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Payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears.
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Prompt disbursement of specialist allowances.
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Restoration of recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates.
The doctors also urged the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all qualified candidates, implement the 2024 CONMESS, address unresolved welfare issues in Kaduna State, and tackle the plight of resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Tuesday, NARD President Osundara confirmed that the outcome of today’s NEC meeting would shape the association’s next steps.
“We are holding our NEC meeting tomorrow (today), and the outcome will determine our next line of action. If there is meaningful progress from the government, it will guide our decision, but if not, the council will take a firm stance, including the possibility of industrial action,” he said.
NARD First Vice-President, Dr. Tajudeen Abdulrauf, also stressed that the meeting would be decisive.
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“The outcome depends on the government’s response. If our demands remain unaddressed, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony, and a strike remains likely. Recall that we gave a three-week ultimatum in July and extended it, yet nothing has been done. Tomorrow’s meeting will review the situation and decide our next step,” he stated.
