Following the expiration of its earlier 10-day deadline on September 10, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) says the Federal Government must meet its demand in the course of a fresh 24-hour ultimatum.
A strike would follow from Friday if government fails to give in to meet outstanding obligasitons, according to the decision of NARD’s National Executive Council after a six-hour virtual meeting on Wednesday.
According of NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, while the association acknowledged the government’s promise to address their concerns, it must do so immediately.
Dr. Osundara said: “After a six-hour deliberation, we decided to give the government the next 24 hours to ensure the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund to beneficiaries, for the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to upgrade our membership certificates, and to attend to our other demands.
“If there is no payment by today (Thursday), then tomorrow (Friday), we will start the strike immediately.”
Going by a communiqué issued on September 1, 2025, and signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, the doctors demanded immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.
They also want the settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, and other long-standing salary backlogs.
NARD also demanded the payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, and restoration of the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
In addition, they want the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all deserving candidates, implement the 2024 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, resolve outstanding welfare issues in Kaduna State, and address the plight of resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
