The Nigerian Association of Resident doctors (NARD) has issued a fresh 21-day ultimatum to the federal government and other employers to address longstanding welfare and professional concerns, warning that continued failure to meet its demands could trigger industrial unrest.
The association announced the decision in a communiqué issued after an emergency virtual meeting of its Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC), convened following the expiration of the 21-day window it had earlier granted the federal government at its May 2026 Ordinary General Meeting.
NARD said it reviewed reports on engagements with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, assessed the implementation of previous resolutions and deliberated on challenges affecting resident doctors nationwide.
Delayed payments
The association expressed dissatisfaction over what it noted as the government’s slow response to several unresolved issues affecting doctors.
Among its concerns is the continued non-disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), despite repeated assurances by the government.
It also lamented persistent delays in the payment of house officers’ salaries and other outstanding entitlements across several training centres. According to the communiqué, resident doctors are still owed the outstanding 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary review arrears, 19 months of Professional Allowance arrears, as well as salary and promotion arrears in several health institutions.
The association demanded that all outstanding salary and promotion arrears be paid within the next 21 days.
It also called on defaulting state governments and managements of state and private tertiary health institutions to immediately implement payment of Professional Allowance arrears, Specialist Allowance, the revised CONMESS salary structure, salary arrears, the Medical Residency Training Fund and other welfare benefits due to resident doctors.
Welfare concerns
Beyond unpaid entitlements, NARD criticised the continued refusal by some hospital managements to provide call meals for doctors on duty.
The association said the practice is anti-welfare and warned that hospital managements that continue to deny doctors the entitlement would be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that may result.
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