‎Resident Doctors Extend Strike Ultimatum by Four Weeks, Threaten Nationwide Industrial Action

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has extended by four weeks its expired 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning that it may embark on a nationwide strike if its outstanding demands are not met.
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‎The decision was reached during the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday.
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‎In a communiqué jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim, the association said the extension followed a review of the government’s response to its earlier ultimatum, which expired without full implementation of its demands.
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‎NARD said the additional four-week window would give the Federal Government time to address the unresolved issues before its next National Executive Council meeting scheduled for July in Gombe State.
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‎The association, however, declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government over lingering welfare and professional issues affecting resident doctors nationwide, warning that industrial harmony could no longer be guaranteed beyond the new deadline.‎It mandated its National Officers’ Committee to begin preparations for industrial action if the government fails to demonstrate satisfactory compliance within the stipulated period.
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‎According to the association, unresolved issues include the non-disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, delayed payment of house officers’ salaries, unpaid 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS salary review arrears, outstanding 19-month professional allowance arrears, as well as unpaid salary and promotion arrears owed to doctors.
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‎Vanguard report that NARD also called for the accelerated implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement and the recommendations of ministerial committees on healthcare workers’ welfare and safety.
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‎The association reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue but insisted it would take appropriate industrial action if the Federal Government fails to resolve the outstanding issues before the expiration of the four-week extension.