The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, to implement the terms of a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding or face a total, comprehensive, and indefinite nationwide strike across public health facilities.

The ultimatum was issued in a communiqué signed by NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity Secretary, Abdulmajid Yahya, following the conclusion of the association’s week-long National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held from July 26 to July 31 in Gombe State.

Hosted by the Association of Resident Doctors in Gombe, the press conference gathered medical delegates to deliberate on pressing challenges within the health sector.

During the briefing, delegates expressed grave concern over what they described as the worsening state of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Topping the list of grievances were persistent cases of assault, harassment, and violent attacks on doctors while discharging their duties, alongside poor remuneration, non-payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears, deteriorating working conditions, and the alleged intimidation and poor treatment of resident doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

The association also painted a grim picture of the country’s dwindling medical workforce and deteriorating infrastructure. While Nigeria had about 25,000 resident doctors 11 years ago, only a little over 12,000 remain today to provide care for a population exceeding 230 million people. Of that remaining total, approximately 10,000 are employed by federal health institutions, while only about 2,000 are spread across state-owned and private health facilities nationwide.

In its communiqué, NARD outlined a 13-point demand for the government, warning that failure to substantially address these issues before the August 10 deadline would trigger a full-scale industrial action. Key demands include:

Developing a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol and enacting legislation to criminalize assaults on health personnel.

Resolving the crisis at LUTH, calling Chief Medical Director Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo to order over the persistent intimidation of doctors, and restoring call-duty meals.

Immediate payment of outstanding 25/35% CONMESS upward review arrears and 19 months of Professional Allowance arrears.

Payment of omitted 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) allowances, as well as outstanding salary and promotion arrears across various federal health institutions.

Addressing severe workload pressures, excessive call duty hours, casualization of doctors, and welfare challenges affecting House Officers.

Urgent rehabilitation, upgrading, and equitable distribution of healthcare infrastructure and modern medical equipment nationwide.

The association noted that while it has repeatedly extended previous ultimatums in good faith, it will no longer tolerate delays in addressing the welfare and safety of its members.

NARD called on the Federal Government to urgently resolve these concerns to maintain industrial harmony and safeguard the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system. (Channels TV)

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