Resident doctors hold NEC meeting to decide on strike over unpaid allowances, salary arrears, and welfare issues as experts warn of impact on healthcare.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is preparing for a decisive National Executive Council (NEC) meeting today, Wednesday, to chart its next steps in the standoff with the Federal Government.
The meeting will review the association’s 10-day ultimatum, which warned of an indefinite nationwide strike should long-standing grievances remain unresolved.
At the heart of NARD’s complaints is what members describe as the government’s persistent neglect of doctors’ welfare and failure to implement previously agreed policies.
The association has insisted that its demands are not new, but part of ongoing disputes that have dragged for years without meaningful resolution.
In a communiqué issued on September 1, 2025, and endorsed by its leadership — President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi — NARD outlined a detailed list of requests.
These include immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of salary arrears covering five months from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, and clearance of other outstanding salary backlogs.
The doctors further demanded release of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, disbursement of specialist allowances without delay, and restoration of recognition for West African postgraduate membership certificates.
They also urged the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to promptly issue membership certificates to all qualified candidates.
Beyond these, the association pressed for the implementation of the 2024 CONMESS adjustments, resolution of welfare concerns affecting resident doctors in Kaduna State, and urgent redress of the situation at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, where workers have continued to raise alarm over poor conditions.
Observers argue that the dispute reflects broader systemic challenges facing Nigeria’s health sector.
Resident doctors, who form the bulk of the workforce in teaching and specialist hospitals, have for years decried inadequate remuneration, erratic salary payments, and poor working conditions.
These frustrations have triggered frequent strikes, each of which has left thousands of patients stranded and reliant on costly private healthcare.
Experts caution that if NARD proceeds with another shutdown, the consequences could be severe.
Nigeria’s public health system is already under strain from a shortage of doctors, crumbling infrastructure, and overcrowded hospitals.
A strike would not only paralyse healthcare delivery nationwide but also worsen inequalities, as only a minority of citizens can afford private medical care.
Health stakeholders are urging both sides to embrace constructive dialogue.
They stress that addressing doctors’ welfare and providing an enabling working environment remain essential if Nigeria hopes to stem the tide of brain drain, retain skilled professionals, and rebuild confidence in public hospitals.
As NARD members gather for today’s meeting, Nigerians wait anxiously to see whether the government will make concessions or whether the country should brace itself for another round of industrial action that could further deepen the cracks in its already fragile healthcare system.
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