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Resident doctors issue 30-day ultimatum over welfare and unpaid arrears.
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NARD decries sack of Lokoja doctors, brain drain, and poor conditions.
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Association warns call duty beyond 24 hours will end from October 1.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a fresh 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address unresolved welfare and policy concerns, including unpaid arrears, promotion entitlements, and the reinstatement of sacked doctors.
The ultimatum was contained in a communiqué signed on Sunday by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim, at the close of the association’s 45th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Katsina State.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the conference, themed “Mitigating Health Worker Migration through Extra-Remuneration Incentives: A Strategy for Sustainable Development,” also marked a leadership transition, with Suleiman succeeding Dr. Tope Osundara as president.
NARD recently embarked on a five-day warning strike, which was suspended after two days following the release of funds for the Medical Residency Training Fund. The union gave the government two weeks to meet its other demands, many of which remain unresolved.
Among the grievances highlighted were excessive call-duty hours, the stalled review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for over 16 years, months of unpaid promotion arrears, and non-payment of corrected professional allowances. The association also decried the dismissal of five doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and condemned the casualisation of medical professionals.
Effective October 1, 2025, NARD directed its members to stop engaging in more than 24 consecutive hours of call duty, citing international best practices.
The communiqué demanded the immediate review of CONMESS, settlement of outstanding allowances, and reinstatement of the sacked doctors within 30 days. It further urged recognition of West African postgraduate membership certificates, inclusion of house officers in the Civil Service Scheme, and prompt issuance of payslips.
NARD also called on Governor Seyi Makinde to address welfare concerns at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, and pressed the National Assembly to provide adequate healthcare funding in the 2026 budget.
