Doctors threaten nationwide strike, issue 10-day ultimatum to FG
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian government, warning of a nationwide strike if their demands are not met.
The ultimatum was announced in a communiqué signed by the association’s leadership after a virtual meeting of its Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) on Sunday.
The doctors had previously issued a three-week ultimatum in July but extended it to allow for further engagement with the government. Now, with what they see as a lack of progress, they are standing firm on their new deadline of September 10, 2025.
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The E-NEC expressed displeasure with the government’s failure to fulfill its promises, specifically highlighting the following issues:
Unpaid Allowances: Many resident doctors have not received their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and there are outstanding arrears from the 25% and 35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review. The government also failed to pay the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.
Certificate Issues: The E-NEC condemned the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for “the unjust downgrading of the membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons.” It also criticized the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria for not issuing membership certificates to deserving candidates.
State-Level Concerns: The association condemned the Kaduna State government for failing to honor its commitments to doctors and the Oyo State government for not addressing the issues at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, despite an ongoing strike there.
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NARD is demanding the immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 MRTF, all salary arrears, and the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance. The association also called for the restoration of the West African postgraduate membership certificates and the immediate issuance of certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
The E-NEC urged all state governors to prioritize the welfare of doctors and ensure the timely payment of the MRTF to curb the emigration of medical professionals and maintain industrial harmony.
The communiqué stated that if their demands are not met by the deadline, they will have “no other option than to embark on a nationwide strike action.”
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