Nigerian Doctors Issue FG 10-Day Ultimatum, Threaten Nationwide Strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government and other relevant authorities a 10-day deadline to meet its demands or face a nationwide strike.

The ultimatum was issued in a communiqué released on Monday, September 1, after an emergency virtual meeting of NARD’s National Executive Council.

The document was signed by the association’s president, Dr. Tope Osundara; general secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and publicity secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi.

In July, the doctors had given the government three weeks to respond to their demands. In the interest of peace, the council extended the grace period by another three weeks, allowing leaders more time to negotiate. But after reviewing the situation, NARD said the government had failed to deliver on its promises.

During Sunday’s meeting, the doctors complained that many of their members have yet to receive the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, as well as five months’ worth of salary arrears from the reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

They also accused the government of refusing to pay the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.

“The E-NEC expressed displeasure over the unjust downgrading of the membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, as well as the persistent non-issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

“The E-NEC condemned in strong terms the failure of the Kaduna State Government to honour its commitments to members under ARD Kaduna and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, despite earlier agreements and signed Memoranda of Understanding.

“The E-NEC condemned the failure of the Oyo State Government to address the challenges faced by members of ARD LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, despite an ongoing indefinite strike action in the hospital,” it noted.

At the same time, the doctors praised governors who have shown commitment by paying the 2025 training fund.

The communiqué set out a list of demands, including immediate payment of the training fund and all outstanding salary arrears, the settlement of the 2024 allowance, the start of specialist allowance payments, and the restoration of recognition for postgraduate certificates.

The Council also demands, “The immediate payment of the arrears of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance. The E-NEC demands the commencement of payment of specialist allowances to all doctors without further delay, given their indispensable role in delivering specialist medical care across the nation.

“The E-NEC demands that the MDCN immediately restore the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates to their rightful status and calls on the NPMCN to commence without delay the issuance of membership certificates to all deserving candidates, in line with international best practices.

“The E-NEC demands the immediate implementation of the 2024 CONMESS and resolution of all outstanding welfare concerns in Kaduna State, noting that the indefinite strike by our members has already resumed and will continue until these demands are met.

“The E-NEC demands that the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde, immediately resolve the welfare concerns of resident doctors under the employment of the state government, particularly those at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho.

“The E-NEC urges all State Governors to prioritise the welfare of doctors in their state-owned hospitals and training institutions, ensure the timely payment of MRTF to their resident doctors, and take proactive steps to curb emigration while maintaining industrial harmony.

“The E-NEC extends the ultimatum by a final 10 days to all relevant government agencies to meet these demands. Failure to do so within this period (expiring on Wednesday, 10th September 2025) will leave the NEC with no other option than to embark on a nationwide strike action.”

KanyiDaily recalls that the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) previously warned that doctors would begin a nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to meet their demands before the July 23 deadline.