NARD Issues 4-Week Ultimatum to FG Over Unmet Demands

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has formally given the federal government a four-week ultimatum to address all outstanding demands affecting resident doctors nationwide. This deadline was set without specifying the consequences if the government fails to act within the stipulated timeframe.

This decision was announced in a communique released at the conclusion of NARD’s May Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and Scientific Conference, which took place from Monday, May 26 to Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Villa Hotel in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The meeting’s theme, “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects,” featured a keynote address by Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Benin City, Edo State.

The communique stated: “The OGM gives the National Officers’ Committee the next four weeks to continue engagement with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the above demands, after which the NEC will reappraise the situation.” This reflects the association’s intention to seek dialogue while remaining firm on its demands.

Among the key demands presented by NARD are the immediate payment of arrears arising from the 25/35% upward revision of the CONMESS salary structure and other unpaid salaries. They also called for the full implementation of consequential adjustments to the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage on basic salaries and allowances, including accrued arrears.

Other critical demands include the expedited disbursement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), completion of arrears related to the 2023/2024 Accoutrement Allowance by both the federal government and Chief Medical Directors (CMDs), and the inclusion of resident doctors in the payment of specialist allowances.

NARD further demanded the regularisation and full remuneration of locum doctors, swift resolution of welfare issues affecting doctors at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), engagement with the Federal Ministry of Health to establish sustainable employment practices aimed at curbing brain drain, and improved welfare packages for doctors and healthcare workers in state hospitals and training institutions.

The communique, signed by NARD President Dr. Osundara Tope, Secretary-General Dr. Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola, and Public and Social Secretary Dr. Amobi Omoha, expressed profound disappointment over the ongoing shortchanging of doctors through inadequate salary adjustments—a situation that has persisted for over 16 years, violating the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The association also condemned the exclusion of resident doctors from receiving specialist allowances and highlighted the alarming shortage of medical manpower in many hospitals.

“The OGM strongly condemns the continued and persistent casualisation and consequent poor remuneration of doctors by the chief executives of tertiary hospitals,” the communique emphasized.

Particular attention was drawn to the unresolved welfare concerns at OAUTHC, including the non-payment of March 2024 salaries and outstanding arrears ranging from seven to fourteen months owed to resident doctors and medical officers. These delays continue to negatively impact the wellbeing and morale of healthcare workers.

Despite these challenges, NARD acknowledged and commended the efforts of the federal government, Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, IPPIS, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in tackling the backlog of the MRTF from 2022 to 2024. They also welcomed the ongoing progress in processing the 2025 MRTF as a positive development.

As NARD awaits the government’s response over the coming weeks, the association reiterated its commitment to engaging stakeholders constructively while underscoring the urgency of addressing these long-standing issues to safeguard the future of Nigeria’s medical profession.