The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has extended its expired 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government by four weeks, warning that it will resort to industrial action if its outstanding welfare and professional demands remain unmet.
The decision was contained in a communiqué issued on Saturday following a virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting, jointly signed by NARD President Dr Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity Secretary Dr Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
The extension comes after the government failed to fully implement the demands outlined in the association’s May Ordinary General Meeting, despite the expiration of the initial ultimatum. NARD stated that the additional four-week window offers the Federal Government a final opportunity to address its grievances before its July National Executive Council meeting scheduled for Gombe State.
Warning that it “could no longer guarantee industrial harmony” beyond this period, the association has mandated its National Officers’ Committee to activate all preparatory processes for appropriate industrial action should the government fail to demonstrate satisfactory compliance.
While acknowledging some progress in engagements with relevant ministries and agencies, NARD noted that critical welfare issues remain unresolved. These include the non-disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, delayed house officers’ salaries, outstanding 25 per cent and 35 per cent CONMESS upward review arrears, unpaid 19-month professional allowance arrears, and salary and promotion backlogs owed to doctors across several centres.
The association further demanded the accelerated implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement and the recommendations of ministerial committees on healthcare workers’ welfare and safety.
Reaffirming its commitment to constructive engagement, NARD nevertheless reserved the right to take decisive action should the outstanding issues persist upon the expiry of the new ultimatum.
