The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued the Federal Government a deadline of 8:00 a.m. on August 10, 2026, to implement the terms of an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), warning that failure to do so will trigger a nationwide indefinite strike across public health institutions.
The decision is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s week-long National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Thursday in Gombe State.
The communiqué was jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya.
The association said the planned industrial action became necessary following what it described as the worsening state of Nigeria’s healthcare system and the government’s failure to address longstanding welfare and safety concerns affecting doctors.
Among the issues raised were persistent attacks on medical personnel, poor remuneration, unpaid salary and promotion arrears, deteriorating working conditions and the alleged intimidation of resident doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
NARD expressed concern over the declining number of resident doctors in the country, revealing that the workforce had dropped from about 25,000 doctors 11 years ago to just over 12,000 serving a population of more than 230 million Nigerians.
According to the association, about 10,000 of the remaining resident doctors work in federal health institutions, while only about 2,000 are employed by state-owned and private hospitals.
The association outlined a 13-point demand, insisting that the government must substantially address the issues before the August 10 deadline.
Among its demands are:
Immediate payment of outstanding 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary adjustment arrears and 19 months of Professional Allowance arrears.
Payment of outstanding 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) allowances, salary and promotion arrears.
Resolution of the crisis at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, including the restoration of call-duty meals and addressing alleged intimidation of doctors.
Development of a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol, alongside legislation criminalising attacks on health workers.
Urgent rehabilitation and upgrading of healthcare infrastructure and medical equipment nationwide.
Measures to address excessive workload, prolonged call-duty hours, casualisation of doctors and welfare concerns affecting House Officers.
The association noted that it had previously extended several ultimatums in good faith but would no longer tolerate delays in implementing agreements reached with the government.
NARD called on the Federal Government to urgently address its demands to avert industrial action and protect Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system.
