The battle line has been drawn as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 10-day ultimatum to all relevant government agencies.
The warning was handed down in a communiqué signed by Tope Osundara, its president; Oluwasola Odunbaku, its general secretary; and Omoha Amobi, its publicity and social secretary; after an extraordinary national executive council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually.
Resident doctors are medical school graduates training as specialists, dominating the emergency wards of hospitals in Nigeria and are vital to healthcare delivery in the country.
During Sunday’s meeting, the E-NEC condemned the federal government’s failure to fulfil its promises, noting that a substantial number of resident doctors remain unpaid for their 2025 medical residency training fund.
“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 communique reads.
“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.”
“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 communique added.
“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.”
