The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate resolution of unpaid allowances, salary arrears, delayed training funds, and worsening welfare conditions affecting its members nationwide.
The decision was announced in a communiqué released after the association’s Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) held in Kano.
The communiqué, signed by NARD President Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, warned that the union may be unable to guarantee industrial harmony if the issues remain unresolved within the stipulated timeframe.
“The association hereby declares an industrial dispute with the Federal Government of Nigeria on the outlined matters above and cannot guarantee industrial harmony after the 21-day window period given to address all the demands,” the statement read.
Among its key demands, NARD called for the immediate release and payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to all eligible resident doctors within the next 21 days.
The association also raised concerns over unpaid salary and promotion arrears in several federal and state health institutions, as well as discrepancies in professional allowances reflected in members’ May 2026 salaries.
NARD highlighted ongoing welfare challenges affecting house officers, including salary delays, unpaid arrears, and difficulties with internship placement and onboarding processes.
The group further accused the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Motunrayo Omidiran, of delaying the issuance of letters of compliance to federal health institutions—an issue it said has worsened manpower shortages and contributed to brain drain in the health sector.
In addition, the association expressed concern over increasing cases of assaults, harassment, intimidation, and violent attacks against doctors while on duty.
It demanded the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of perpetrators, as well as the development and implementation of a national healthcare workers’ assault prevention and response protocol within the 21-day ultimatum period.
NARD warned that failure by the government to take concrete steps toward addressing these concerns could lead to industrial action, potentially disrupting healthcare services across the country.
