Resident doctors threaten nationwide strike over unpaid allowances, welfare issues
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) says its members would embark on a nationwide strike if the federal government failed to meet their demands in 10 days.
The warning is contained in a communique issued on Monday by the association signed by Tope Osundara, the NARD president, Oluwasola Odunbaku, the general secretary and Omoha Amobi, the publicity and the social secretary.
According to the communiqué, the association had earlier issued a three-week ultimatum in July but extended it by another three weeks to allow further engagement with relevant stakeholders.
Despite this, NARD said the federal government has failed to fulfil key promises.
The association expressed dismay that many resident doctors have yet to receive their 2025 medical residency training fund (MRTF), while five months’ arrears from the 25 percent/35 percent consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) review remain unpaid.
It also faulted the non-payment of longstanding salary arrears and the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.
NARD further condemned the downgrading of West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
It lamented the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria’s persistent failure to issue membership certificates as well as the Kaduna state government’s failure to honour agreements with doctors at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital.
NARD also expressed dismay over the Oyo state government’s inaction over welfare concerns affecting doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, where an indefinite strike is ongoing.
The association, however, commended state governors who have paid the 2025 MRTF to their doctors.
NARD’s demands include immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 MRTF to all eligible doctors, settlement of five months’ CONMESS arrears and other salary backlogs, payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance, commencement of specialist allowance payments to doctors, and restoration of recognition of West African postgraduate membership certificates by MDCN, among others.
The communiqué urged all state governors to prioritise doctors’ welfare in their hospitals and training institutions, warning that unresolved grievances continue to fuel emigration and disrupt industrial harmony.
NARD said its final 10-day ultimatum will expire on September 10, after which doctors across the country will withdraw their services if their demands remain unmet.
