Resident Doctors Gives FG 30-Day Ultimatum Over Welfare Issues

By Charles Maduka

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has issued a fresh 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address outstanding welfare and policy demands, including unpaid salary arrears, promotion entitlements, and the reinstatement of dismissed doctors.

The ultimatum was contained in a communiqué signed by NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Abdulmajid Ibrahim at the close of the association’s 45th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held in Katsina State.

The meeting, which ran from September 21 to 26 under the theme “Mitigating Health Worker Migration through Extra-Remuneration Incentives: A Strategy for Sustainable Development”, also marked a leadership change with Dr Suleiman elected president to succeed Dr Tope Osundara.

Earlier this month, NARD embarked on a five-day warning strike but suspended it after two days following the release of funds for the Medical Residency Training Fund and a government pledge to address other demands.

In its communiqué, the association listed unresolved issues including excessive and unsafe call-duty hours, the stalled review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for over 16 years, non-payment of corrected professional allowances, and months of unpaid promotion arrears.

It condemned the dismissal of five doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, the casualisation of medical staff, poor hospital infrastructure, and the exclusion of house officers from the Civil Service Scheme.

Effective October 1, NARD directed its members to stop working beyond 24 consecutive hours of call duty in line with international best practices. It demanded the immediate release of corrected professional allowance tables, settlement of accumulated promotion arrears, implementation of one-for-one replacement to ease workload, and reinstatement of the five sacked doctors within 30 days.

The association also called on the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to restore full recognition of West African postgraduate membership certificates and urged the National Postgraduate Medical College to issue pending certificates. It demanded decentralised promotions, prompt payment of specialist allowances, inclusion of house officers in the Civil Service Scheme, and timely payslips.

NARD further urged Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to address the welfare of resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, and called for full implementation of CONMESS circulars across federal, state, and private health institutions.

On policy matters, the association resolved to engage the National Assembly for improved healthcare funding in the 2026 Appropriation Act and demanded immediate implementation of agreed special pension benefits for doctors.