₦airaland Forum

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors will today (Wednesday) hold its National Executive Council meeting to determine its next line of action on a pending ultimatum to the Federal Government.

The association had earlier issued a 10-day ultimatum to relevant government agencies, warning that members would embark on a nationwide strike if their demands were not met.

The threat comes amid mounting pressure on Nigeria’s fragile public health system, which is already grappling with a shortage of doctors, poor infrastructure, and overcrowded hospitals.

Resident doctors, who constitute the majority of the medical workforce in teaching and specialist hospitals, have repeatedly gone on strike in recent years over unpaid wages, poor welfare, and inadequate working conditions.

Experts warn that another shutdown could cripple healthcare delivery, forcing patients to seek expensive private care and worsening health outcomes nationwide.

In a communiqué issued on September 1, 2025, and signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, the doctors demanded immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, and other long-standing salary backlogs.

They also demanded the payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, and restoration of the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates.

In addition, they called on the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all deserving candidates, implement the 2024 CONMESS, resolve outstanding welfare issues in Kaduna State, and address the plight of resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Tuesday, Dr. Osundara said the outcome of today’s NEC meeting would determine the association’s next step.

“We are holding our NEC meeting tomorrow (today), and the outcome will determine our next line of action. At the meeting, we will review whether the government has made any meaningful progress on addressing our demands. If there is a positive response, it will guide our decision, but if not, the council will take a firm stance on the next steps, including the possibility of industrial action,” he said.

NARD First Vice-President, Dr. Tajudeen Abdulrauf, also confirmed that the NEC would reconvene today to assess the situation.

“The outcome of the meeting will depend on the government’s response to our demands. If they are not addressed, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony, and a strike remains likely. Remember, we gave a three-week ultimatum in July and extended it. In the spirit of dialogue, the NEC mandated the National Officers’ Committee to engage stakeholders for another three weeks, yet nothing has been done. When we meet tomorrow, we will review the government’s response and decide on the next line of action,” Abdulrauf said.

nlfpmod:
https://punchng.com/doctors-to-decide-on-nationwide-strike-today/

Sermwell:
They should just go ahead with it! This useless government must learn a lesson

The president is out there fixing his health but ignore the health of Nigerians and the useless entity still want to contest in 2027.

Well, Nigerians deserve the kind of useless leaders they have

CodeTemplarr:
Doctors and academicians are bailing out en mass. No solution in sight.

jamafa:
Under your favourite watch residents doctors went on strike for 13months in his state.

I can bet they won't embark on strike, because the president is a listening president.

U just hate him for no reason and U don't want Nigeria to work because your favourite isn't the president 😂

Baawaa:
Resident doctors should please consider the masses,the so called leaders don't border because they can pay for specialist or go abroad

bluefilm:
I don't understand the term Resident Doctors

What makes them to be Resident?

Jaymats:
Ok noted, pls no one should beg them if they like let them not even return to work again its up to them.

I have realised everything in Nigeria since those losers lost in 2023 become politicised just to throw the current govt balance for them to say didn't we told you?

This is how most Africa countries ended up in the hands of a tyrant because of frustration and self hatred towards one own country in the name of political party, religion and tribe affluation.

Doctors pls go on strike your family too will suffer the consequence afterall you all have brothers, sisters, uncles, cousins, niecews, nephews, friends etc so if they say heaven is about to fall its going to fall on all.

Jaymats:
Ok noted, pls no one should beg them if they like let them not even return to work again its up to them.

I have realised everything in Nigeria since those losers lost in 2023 become politicised just to throw the current govt balance for them to say didn't we told you?

This is how most Africa countries ended up in the hands of a tyrant because of frustration and self hatred towards one own country in the name of political party, religion and tribe affluation.

Doctors pls go on strike your family too will suffer the consequence afterall you all have brothers, sisters, uncles, cousins, niecews, nephews, friends etc so if they say heaven is about to fall its going to fall on all.

Jaymats:
Ok noted, pls no one should beg them if they like let them not even return to work again its up to them.

I have realised everything in Nigeria since those losers lost in 2023 become politicised just to throw the current govt balance for them to say didn't we told you?

This is how most Africa countries ended up in the hands of a tyrant because of frustration and self hatred towards one own country in the name of political party, religion and tribe affluation.

Doctors pls go on strike your family too will suffer the consequence afterall you all have brothers, sisters, uncles, cousins, niecews, nephews, friends etc so if they say heaven is about to fall its going to fall on all.

WesleyPepper:
They are specialist Doctors in training and are the bedrock of your teaching hospitals and federal medical centers . They are called residents because initially when the program started abroad, they are expected to reside within the hospitals
They form the bulk of medical Doctors you’d see in the health institutions mentioned above.