Olayiwola Matthew
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a fresh 24-hour ultimatum to meet its outstanding demands, following the expiration of its earlier 10-day deadline on September 10.
The decision came after a six-hour virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on Wednesday.
Dr. Tope Osundara, NARD president, said while the association acknowledged government’s assurances, it now insists on immediate action.
In a communiqué dated September 1, 2025, signed by Osundara; Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, general secretary; and Dr. Omoha Amobi, publicity and social secretary, the association listed its demands. These include:
“Immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), Settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 percent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review
Clearance of other long-standing salary backlogs, Payment of 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears,
Prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, Restoration of recognition of West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to qualified candidates, Implementation of the 2024 CONMESS, Resolution of welfare issues in Kaduna State and Urgent intervention on the plight of resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
“Resident doctors remain critical to Nigeria’s public health system, delivering a significant share of clinical services across federal and state hospitals. Any strike action by the group typically cripples service delivery, leaving patients stranded.”
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, Osundara confirmed that the government had reached out.
“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 to ensure the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund to beneficiaries, for the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to upgrade our membership certificates, and to attend to our other demands,” he said.
“If there is no payment by today (Thursday), then tomorrow (Friday), we will start the strike immediately.”
According to him, more than 2,000 resident doctors nationwide are still awaiting payment of the MRTF.