The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government, extending by four weeks the deadline for the implementation of its outstanding demands and warning that it may embark on nationwide industrial action if the issues remain unresolved.

The decision was taken at the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting, held virtually on Saturday to assess developments following the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Federal Government.

In a communiqué released on Sunday and jointly signed by its President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the association said it could no longer guarantee industrial harmony beyond the new four-week window if its demands were not fully met.

“The association cannot guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week window if all its demands are not fully addressed,” the communiqué warned.

NARD also mandated its National Officers’ Committee to activate all necessary processes in preparation for industrial action should the government fail to demonstrate satisfactory compliance within the stipulated period.

The association accused the Federal Government and several health institutions of failing to fulfil commitments relating to doctors’ welfare, including the payment of outstanding salaries, allowances and other entitlements.

Among the unresolved issues, NARD said the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) had yet to be disbursed despite repeated assurances from the government. It also expressed concern over the persistent delay in the payment of House Officers’ salaries and outstanding entitlements across several centres.

The association further decried the continued non-payment of the 25/35 per cent CONMESS upward review arrears and the outstanding 19 months’ Professional Allowance arrears.

“NARD can no longer tolerate the hardship being imposed on doctors through persistent delays in salaries and welfare payments,” the communiqué stated.

The resident doctors also raised concerns over what they described as the continued victimisation of their members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, warning that they would resist any form of intimidation, harassment or actions capable of undermining their members.

The association equally condemned what it described as attempts by the OAUTHC management to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions despite an existing government circular abolishing the practice.

NARD also criticised the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for its continued refusal to provide call meals for resident doctors on duty.

Describing the denial of call meals as an anti-welfare practice, the association warned that any hospital management that failed to provide the entitlement would be held responsible for any industrial disharmony arising from the situation.

Despite its grievances, NARD acknowledged progress made in some areas, including ongoing efforts to address assaults on healthcare workers and the near completion of reports by ministerial committees investigating workplace violence, excessive workload, prolonged call hours, casualisation of doctors and abusive locum appointments.

It also commended some state governments and private tertiary health institutions for implementing welfare measures such as the payment of Professional Allowance arrears, Specialist Allowance, salary adjustments under the reviewed CONMESS structure and the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund.

However, the association maintained that implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government remained slow and unsatisfactory.

Among its demands are the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of all outstanding salary, promotion and Professional Allowance arrears, implementation of the reviewed CONMESS salary structure, improved protection for healthcare workers against assaults and accelerated implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement.

NARD also demanded the immediate submission, approval and implementation of the recommendations of ministerial committees investigating excessive workload and poor working conditions for doctors.

The association said it would review the level of compliance with its resolutions at its July 2026 National Executive Council meeting scheduled to hold in Gombe State. (Channels TV)

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