The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued 19 minimum demands it says must be met to avert a total, indefinite nationwide strike scheduled to begin on Saturday.
NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, announced the demands on Monday in Abuja during a media briefing, presenting resolutions from the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. The meeting followed the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government (FG).
Suleiman said the association had exercised patience for too long amid government inaction, noting that doctors have already begun ward rounds and patient handovers in preparation for the industrial action.
“The outstanding payments and welfare issues affect not only resident doctors but all health professionals, including administrative staff,” he said.
He added that the FG owes doctors and other health workers an estimated N38 billion in accumulated allowances, some dating back over 10 years. “There are arrears ranging from seven months to 10 years, and the basic salary of doctors has not been reviewed for 16 years,” he said.
Suleiman recalled that NARD had suspended a five-day warning strike in September and extended its ultimatum by 30 days to allow the government time to act, but no meaningful progress was made.
“The Federal Government has failed to demonstrate the political will necessary to address the legitimate concerns of Nigerian resident doctors,” he said.
Among NARD’s 19-point demands are:
- Immediate payment of outstanding 25–35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears and the 2024 accoutrement allowance, along with other pending entitlements.
- Reinstatement of five resident doctors unjustly terminated from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, with full back pay.
- Development and implementation of a humane working-hours policy for doctors.
- Greater autonomy for hospital CEOs to employ replacement doctors under a one-for-one policy.
- Urgent upgrade and maintenance of healthcare infrastructure and equipment.
- Payment of specialist allowances, inclusion of house officers in the civil service scheme, correction of entry-level placements, decentralization of promotion processes, and expedited conclusion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) review.
- Uniform implementation of CONMESS across all federal, state, and private institutions.
- Immediate clearance of outstanding salary arrears and implementation of agreed special pension benefits.
Following the failure of the government to meet these demands, Suleiman declared: “NARD hereby announces a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike commencing at 12:00 a.m. on Saturday. All resident doctors in federal and state tertiary health institutions are directed to withdraw services completely until genuine government action is taken.”
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene personally, describing him as “the father of the nation” and urging him to resolve the issues affecting doctors and the wider health sector.
Over the years, NARD has launched several industrial actions over welfare, remuneration, and working conditions, often paralyzing public hospitals nationwide, leaving patients stranded, and disrupting healthcare delivery.
