The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a final warning to the Federal Government, declaring that its members across the country will begin an indefinite nationwide strike on August 10 if unresolved welfare and professional issues are not addressed.
The decision was reached during the association’s July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which opened on Sunday in Gombe, following a review of previous engagements with government authorities and the level of implementation of earlier agreements.
In a communiqué jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim, the association said while there had been progress in some areas, key demands affecting resident doctors remained outstanding.
NARD acknowledged the Federal Government’s disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to eligible doctors, describing it as a positive step. However, it maintained that unresolved salary, welfare and working-condition issues continue to affect healthcare workers in federal hospitals.
The association warned that failure by the government to meet its demands before the deadline would leave it with no option but to proceed with a total and comprehensive industrial action.
“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 communiqué before the expiration of the stipulated timeline,” the statement read.
Among its major demands, NARD called for the immediate payment of outstanding arrears resulting from the 25 and 35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS). It also demanded the payment of 19 months’ professional allowance arrears, promotion arrears and other outstanding entitlements owed to resident doctors in several federal health institutions.
The doctors also raised concerns over the welfare of house officers, citing persistent delays in salary payments, unpaid arrears, internship placement challenges and prolonged employment processing, which they said continue to discourage young medical professionals.
The association condemned the increasing cases of physical attacks, harassment and intimidation of doctors while carrying out their duties, describing the trend as unacceptable. It urged the National Assembly to enact legislation that would criminalise assaults on healthcare workers nationwide.
NARD further criticised the slow pace of negotiations on the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement and urged the Federal Government to accelerate its conclusion, signing and implementation.
It also called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to conclude the work of its committee investigating excessive workloads, prolonged call-duty hours, casualisation of doctors and alleged abuse of locum appointments, and to immediately implement its recommendations.
The association appealed to the government to improve public healthcare infrastructure by providing modern medical equipment, ensuring regular electricity supply to hospitals, improving maintenance of health facilities and creating a better working environment for medical personnel.
It also urged both federal and state governments to increase investment in the health sector through improved primary healthcare services, accelerated implementation of universal health coverage and the recruitment and retention of more healthcare workers to address manpower shortages.
Despite issuing the strike notice, NARD reiterated its willingness to continue discussions with the government but insisted that the welfare of resident doctors and the sustainability of Nigeria’s healthcare system could no longer be ignored.
“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,” the communiqué stated.
The association also urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration to implement the approved Professional Allowance Table and settle outstanding CONMESS review arrears and other benefits owed to doctors working in the FCT.
While expressing dissatisfaction over unresolved issues, NARD commended the Federal Government for releasing the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund. It also praised the Federal Character Commission for addressing manpower concerns through timely compliance approvals and acknowledged the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in resolving the industrial dispute involving resident doctors at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex in Ile-Ife.
The association equally applauded the governments of Osun, Kaduna, Oyo, Rivers and Plateau states for initiatives aimed at improving doctors’ welfare, strengthening healthcare infrastructure and enhancing working conditions in their respective states.
The latest ultimatum comes weeks after NARD extended by four weeks an earlier 21-day notice issued in June over unresolved welfare and professional concerns, warning that failure to secure meaningful progress would result in nationwide industrial action.
