NARD declares industrial dispute, gives FG four weeks to avert strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government, issuing a four-week ultimatum to address unresolved welfare and professional issues or face a nationwide strike.

 

The decision was reached at an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday after the association reviewed developments following the expiration of its earlier 21-day ultimatum.

 

In a communiqué signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the association accused the Federal Government and some health institutions of failing to honour agreements on doctors’ welfare.

 

NARD said the government had yet to release the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), while many House Officers were still owed salaries and other entitlements.

 

The association also decried the non-payment of the 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary review arrears and the outstanding 19 months’ Professional Allowance arrears.

 

“NARD can no longer tolerate the hardship being imposed on doctors through persistent delays in salaries and welfare payments,” the communiqué stated.

 

The association also alleged victimisation of its members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, and opposed plans to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions despite an existing government directive abolishing the practice.

 

It further criticised the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for allegedly failing to provide call meals for resident doctors on duty, describing the action as anti-welfare.

 

Despite its concerns, NARD acknowledged progress by the Federal Government in addressing assaults on healthcare workers and the work of ministerial committees investigating workplace violence, excessive workloads, prolonged call hours and other challenges affecting doctors.

 

The association also commended some state governments and private tertiary health institutions for implementing welfare measures, including payment of salary adjustments, specialist allowances and residency training funds.

 

Among its demands are the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of all outstanding salary and allowance arrears, implementation of the revised CONMESS salary structure, improved protection for healthcare workers and implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement.

 

NARD also called for the immediate approval and implementation of recommendations by ministerial committees investigating poor working conditions in the health sector.

 

The association warned that it could not guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week ultimatum if its demands remained unmet and directed its National Officers’ Committee to begin preparations for industrial action.

 

It said the government’s response would be reviewed at its July 2026 National Executive Council meeting in Gombe State.