The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has issued a
fresh 10-day ultimatum to the federal government and other relevant
authorities, warning of an imminent nationwide strike if its outstanding
demands are not addressed.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué signed by NARD
President, Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Oluwasola Odunbaku;
and Publicity and Social Secretary, Omoha Amobi, following an
Extraordinary National Executive Council, E-NEC meeting held virtually
on Sunday.
The association recalled that it had earlier given a three-week ultimatum
in July, before extending the deadline by another three weeks to allow
for further dialogue with stakeholders. However, it expressed
disappointment that the government has yet to fulfil its promises.
According to NARD, many resident doctors are still unpaid for their 2025
Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF). It also decried the failure to
settle five months’ arrears from the 25–35 percent Consolidated Medical
Salary Structure, CONMESS, review, along with other longstanding
salary arrears.
The doctors further condemned the non-payment of the 2024
Accoutrement Allowance, as well as what they described as the “unjust
downgrading of membership certificates of the West African Colleges of
Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria
(MDCN). They also faulted the persistent delay in issuing certificates to
successful candidates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of
Nigeria, NPMCN.
