The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government two weeks to resolve outstanding welfare and professional issues or risk industrial action.
The ultimatum was part of resolutions reached at the association’s 46th Annual General Meeting held on Sunday in Calabar, Cross River State. NARD said several agreements reached with the FG remained unresolved despite repeated meetings and assurances, raising concerns about remuneration, career progression, professional allowances, manpower shortages and working conditions.
NARD National President Dr Emmanuel Ogar said delays in implementing agreements had become unacceptable. Kanyi Daily reports that the association called for an immediate review and implementation of existing remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors, arguing that current compensation no longer adequately reflects prevailing economic conditions.
NARD demanded compensation for doctors taking on additional responsibilities because of staff shortages and wants standardised templates introduced to determine payments for excess workloads. The association also raised concerns about attacks on healthcare workers and called for full implementation of anti-assault measures designed to protect doctors and medical personnel in hospitals.
The continued migration of Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals has worsened existing manpower shortages and increased workloads for doctors remaining in the country. NARD called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to address factors driving the exodus of medical professionals. State governments were urged to improve doctor welfare and implement relevant policies covering healthcare workers.
The association also demanded improved hospital infrastructure, adequate medical equipment and better working conditions, arguing these were necessary to improve patient safety and healthcare delivery. NARD called on the National Assembly to strengthen budgetary allocations to healthcare to address infrastructure and manpower challenges.
The latest ultimatum follows months of disputes between resident doctors and the FG over salaries, allowances, training funds and other welfare demands. In April 2026, NARD suspended a planned indefinite nationwide strike after receiving fresh commitments from the FG on outstanding allowances, salary arrears and funding for medical residency training.
Earlier in January, the National Industrial Court in Abuja restrained resident doctors from proceeding with a nationwide strike scheduled to begin on January 12, 2026. The FG and the Attorney General of the Federation had approached the court amid disagreements with NARD over implementation of previous agreements.
The disputes also extended through 2025. In November of that year, resident doctors suspended a nationwide indefinite strike after 29 days following conciliatory meetings with the FG. Both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding addressing NARD’s 19-point list of demands. NARD said at the time that while progress had been made on some demands, several issues, particularly outstanding arrears, remained unresolved.
