The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has extended its expired 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government by an additional four weeks, warning that it could embark on industrial action if its welfare and professional demands remain unmet.
The decision was announced in a communiqué issued after the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting, which was held virtually on Saturday.
NARD said the extension followed a review of the Federal Government’s response to the 21-day ultimatum issued during its May 2026 Ordinary General Meeting (OGM), which expired without full compliance. According to the association, the additional four-week window is intended to give the government sufficient time to address the outstanding issues before its July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Gombe State.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the association’s President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
The association also declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government over unresolved welfare and professional issues affecting resident doctors nationwide.
According to NARD, the decision followed extensive deliberations on reports presented by its National Officers’ Committee (NOC) on engagements with relevant ministries, departments, and agencies of government.
Although some progress had been recorded, the association noted that several critical welfare issues remained unresolved despite repeated assurances from the Federal Government.
Among the outstanding issues are the non-disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, delayed payment of house officers’ salaries, and outstanding entitlements owed to doctors in several training centres.
Other concerns include the non-payment of the 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS upward review arrears, outstanding 19-month professional allowance arrears, as well as unpaid salary and promotion arrears.
NARD also called for the swift implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement and the recommendations of ministerial committees on the welfare and safety of healthcare workers.
The association stated: “Consequently, the E-NEC mandated the National Officers’ Committee (NOC) to activate all necessary processes in preparation for appropriate industrial action should the government fail to demonstrate satisfactory compliance within the stipulated period.”
It added that while it remained committed to constructive engagement with the Federal Government, it would not hesitate to take appropriate action if the outstanding issues were not resolved before the expiration of the additional four-week extension.
NARD recalled that it had initially issued the 21-day ultimatum during its May 2026 Ordinary General Meeting to press for the resolution of longstanding welfare and professional concerns affecting resident doctors across the country.
According to the association, members reviewed the government’s level of compliance during Saturday’s E-NEC meeting and unanimously resolved to grant the Federal Government a further four weeks before determining its next course of action.
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