By Peter Omopo
September 11, 2025 — The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a fresh 24-hour ultimatum to meet its outstanding demands or face an indefinite strike.
The threat comes after the expiration of an earlier 10-day deadline on September 10. The decision was reached following a six-hour virtual meeting of NARD’s National Executive Council on Wednesday.
NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, said while the association acknowledged government assurances, doctors were insisting on immediate action.
In a communiqué signed by Dr. Osundara, General Secretary Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, and Publicity Secretary Dr. Omoha Amobi, the doctors demanded:
- Payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF)
- Settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review
- Clearance of outstanding salary backlogs
- Payment of 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears
- Prompt disbursement of specialist allowances
- Restoration of recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
They also urged the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue certificates to all qualified candidates, called for the full implementation of the 2024 CONMESS, and demanded the resolution of welfare issues in Kaduna State and at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
Dr. Osundara told Channels Television on Thursday that more than 2,000 resident doctors nationwide were still awaiting MRTF payments.
“The Federal Government called us yesterday (Wednesday) and promised to address our concerns. After a six-hour deliberation, we decided to give the government the next 24 hours. If there is no payment by today (Thursday), then tomorrow (Friday), we will start the strike immediately,” he said.
Resident doctors provide the bulk of clinical services in Nigeria’s federal and state hospitals, meaning any industrial action could cripple healthcare delivery nationwide, leaving patients stranded.
