Resident Doctors Give FG 24-Hour Ultimatum Over Unmet Demands

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has handed the Federal Government a 24-hour deadline to resolve a series of outstanding issues or face an immediate strike.

The decision came after a six-hour virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council on Wednesday, following the expiration of an earlier 10-day ultimatum issued on September 10.

NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, said the association acknowledged the government’s assurances but insisted that words must now translate into action. “The Federal Government called us yesterday (Wednesday) and promised to address our concerns. After a six-hour deliberation, we decided to give the government the next 24 hours to ensure the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund to beneficiaries, for the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to upgrade our membership certificates, and to attend to our other demands. If there is no payment by today (Thursday), then tomorrow (Friday), we will start the strike immediately,” he warned.

In a communiqué dated September 1, 2025, and signed by Dr. Osundara, General Secretary Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Omoha Amobi, the doctors listed their demands. They include the immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, and the release of long-pending salary backlogs.

They also pressed for the payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt release of specialist allowances, and restoration of recognition for West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. In addition, the doctors urged the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all qualified candidates, implement the 2024 CONMESS, resolve welfare issues affecting members in Kaduna State, and address grievances of resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

Dr. Osundara told our correspondent that more than 2,000 resident doctors are still awaiting payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund.

Resident doctors make up the backbone of Nigeria’s public hospitals, handling the bulk of clinical work in both federal and state facilities. A strike by the group is often crippling, leaving patients stranded and overwhelming the health system.