The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) will on Wednesday hold a crucial National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to determine its next line of action following an ultimatum earlier issued to the Federal Government.
NARD had given relevant government agencies a 10-day deadline to meet its demands or risk a nationwide strike.
Mounting Health Sector Pressure
The looming strike threat comes at a time when Nigeria’s fragile public health system is under enormous strain, battling shortages of medical personnel, poor infrastructure, and overcrowded hospitals.
Resident doctors, who make up the bulk of the workforce in teaching and specialist hospitals, have staged several strikes in recent years over unpaid wages, poor welfare, and inadequate working conditions.
Health experts have cautioned that another shutdown could cripple healthcare delivery, forcing patients to seek expensive private treatment and worsening outcomes nationwide.
Doctors’ Demands
In a communiqué issued on September 1, 2025, and signed by NARD President Dr. Tope Osundara, General Secretary Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, and Publicity & Social Secretary Dr. Omoha Amobi, the doctors outlined their key demands, including:
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Immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund
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Settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review
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Clearance of long-standing salary backlogs
NARD warned that failure to address these issues would leave it with no choice but to embark on industrial action.
