The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) said at the weekend it has declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government and extended by four weeks a deadline for the government to meet outstanding demands.
NARD warned that nationwide strike action could follow if the issues remain unresolved.
In a communiqué issued after an extraordinary virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council on Saturday, leaders said the group could not “guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four‑week window” unless the government fulfilled commitments on pay and welfare.
The statement was signed by NARD President Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary‑General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim.
The association directed its National Officers’ Committee to ready the mechanisms needed to call industrial action “should the government fail to demonstrate satisfactory compliance” within the new timeline.
NARD accused the Federal Government and several hospitals of failing to clear outstanding salaries, allowances and other entitlements.
The group listed several unresolved items, including the nondisbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, persistent delays in House Officers’ pay, unpaid arrears tied to an upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and 19 months of unpaid Professional Allowance.
“NARD can no longer tolerate the hardship being imposed on doctors through persistent delays in salaries and welfare payments,” the communiqué said.
The association also raised concerns about what it described as victimisation of members at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex in Ile‑Ife and warned it would resist intimidation or actions that undermine doctors.
NARD condemned moves by OAUTHC management to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary institutions, despite a government circular abolishing the practice, and criticised Lagos University Teaching Hospital for refusing to provide call meals for doctors on duty.
At the same time, NARD acknowledged progress on several fronts.
It praised ministerial committees nearing completion of reports on assaults against health workers, excessive workloads, prolonged call hours and other workplace issues.
The association also noted some state governments and private hospitals have paid arrears and adjusted salaries under the reviewed CONMESS framework, and that some Medical Residency Training Fund disbursements have been made.
Despite those advances, NARD said implementation of federal agreements has been “slow and unsatisfactory.”
Its list of demands includes immediate disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears, settlement of Professional Allowance arrears, implementation of the revised CONMESS pay structure, better protection for health workers and swift adoption of ministerial recommendations on workloads and working conditions.
The association said it will assess compliance with its demands at its next National Executive Council meeting in July in Gombe State.
NewsQuest reports that the dispute comes amid broader pressure on Nigeria’s public‑sector payroll and ongoing concerns about safety and working conditions for frontline health staff.
