The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued the Federal Government a fresh 24-hour ultimatum to meet its outstanding demands, following the expiration of its earlier 10-day deadline on September 10.
The decision came after a six-hour virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council on Wednesday.
NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, said while the government had promised to address the doctors’ concerns, the association was no longer willing to wait indefinitely.
In a communiqué issued on September 1, 2025, and signed by Dr. Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, the doctors demanded:
-Immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
-Settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review.
-Clearance of other outstanding salary backlogs.
-Payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears and prompt disbursement of specialist allowances.
-Restoration of recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
They also urged the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to deserving candidates, implement the 2024 CONMESS, resolve welfare issues in Kaduna State, and address the plight of resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
Resident doctors provide the bulk of clinical services in Nigeria’s public hospitals, meaning any strike action could paralyse healthcare delivery nationwide.
Speaking with newsmen on Thursday, Dr. Osundara said:
“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 MRTF 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 noted that more than 2,000 resident doctors across the country are still awaiting payment of the MRTF.
