The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the federal government to meet a set of long-standing demands affecting its members or risk a reassessment of the situation that could lead to industrial action.
This resolution followed the Association’s May Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and Scientific Conference, held from May 26 to 31, 2025, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The theme of the conference, “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects,” underscored the complex environment in which doctors operate.
The conference drew speakers and panellists that examined the interplay between ethics, law, and healthcare delivery, with participation from government officials, medical experts, and policymakers.
In the communique, NARD acknowledged some progress made by the Federal Government and relevant agencies, particularly in the ongoing disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for 2025 and the clearance of MRTF arrears from 2022 to 2024.
However, the Association expressed deep disappointment over a range of outstanding issues, particularly the non-payment of arrears resulting from the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and the failure to implement long-promised consequential salary adjustments dating back to 2009.
The doctors also condemned the persistent exclusion of resident doctors from specialist allowances, despite their critical role in delivering expert medical care in tertiary hospitals across the country.
The continued casualization of doctors and the resulting poor remuneration by heads of tertiary health institutions were described as unacceptable.
The OGM noted that for over 16 years, resident doctors have endured stagnant salaries without adjustments commensurate with inflation or policy changes, in breach of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The unaddressed concerns, the group noted, contradict the government’s own National Policy on Health Workforce, which calls for better incentives to retain healthcare workers.
Of particular concern is the situation at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), where the Association reports that resident doctors and medical officers are still owed between 7 and 14 months in salary arrears.
In addition, the March 2024 salaries for many of the hospital’s doctors remain unpaid, exacerbating already dire working conditions, the association regretted.
The association condemned the Federal Government’s failure to pay the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears and the refusal by some Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) to comply with payments already approved.
It, however, commended a number of State governments for their progressive health sector reforms and prompt payment of allowances, including those of Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Abia, Benue, Kwara, Enugu, and Delta States.
In its resolutions, NARD demanded immediate payment of the 25/35% CONMESS salary arrears; full implementation of consequential salary adjustments to reflect the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage increases; expedited disbursement of the 2025 MRTF to all eligible doctors; and full settlement of the 2023/2024 accoutrement allowance arrears by CMDs and the Federal Government.
The association is also demanding the inclusion of resident doctors in the specialist allowance payment scheme, in addition to the regularisation and full remuneration of locum (temporary) doctors as well as a swift resolution of welfare issues at OAUTHC.
NARD, however, resolved to give the government a four-week window within which to address all pending issues.
During this period, NARD said its National Officers’ Committee will continue engagements with relevant authorities.
“Failure to achieve satisfactory progress will prompt the National Executive Council (NEC) to reassess the situation and determine the next course of action,” the communique affirmed.
The Association, nonetheless, commended President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Senate and House leadership, Health Ministers, State governors, and heads of relevant health institutions for their roles in ongoing dialogue and sectoral reforms.
However, NARD made it clear that goodwill alone would no longer suffice, “We have exercised restraint, we have engaged in dialogue, but the time has come for action.
“The well-being of Nigeria’s doctors cannot be postponed indefinitely,” the doctors stressed.
With rising emigration among medical professionals and increasing gaps in hospital manpower across Nigeria, the doctors say the government must act decisively now or risk a worsening healthcare crisis.
