Resident Doctors Give 21-Day Ultimatum Over Unpaid Allowances and Delayed Funds

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the federal government a new 21-day ultimatum. They want the government to address long-standing welfare and professional issues. If the government fails to meet their demands, there could be industrial unrest.

NARD made this announcement in a statement after an emergency virtual meeting. The meeting was called after the previous 21-day deadline expired. This earlier deadline was set during their May 2026 Ordinary General Meeting.

The association said they looked over reports about talks with key ministries and agencies. They also assessed how previous resolutions were implemented and discussed challenges faced by resident doctors across the country.

Delayed Payments

NARD is unhappy with the government’s slow response to many unresolved issues affecting doctors. One major concern is the ongoing delays in the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), even though the government has promised to release it several times.

They also pointed out the ongoing delays in paying house officers' salaries and other entitlements at training centres. According to the statement, resident doctors are still owed 25 to 35 percent of the CONMESS salary review arrears. They also have 19 months of Professional Allowance arrears and other salary and promotion arrears in many health institutions.

NARD is demanding that all outstanding salary and promotion arrears be settled within the next 21 days. They also called on state governments and managements of state and private tertiary health institutions to start paying Professional Allowance arrears, Specialist Allowance, the updated CONMESS salary structure, salary arrears, the Medical Residency Training Fund, and other benefits due to resident doctors.

Welfare Concerns

NARD criticized some hospital managements for not providing meals for doctors on duty. They said this practice is against welfare and warned that managements denying doctors this entitlement will be held responsible if there is any unrest.

The association also raised concerns about the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in Ile-Ife. They are worried about attempts to bring back bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions, despite a previous circular that abolished this practice.

NARD demanded that this move be stopped immediately. They warned that any attempt to bring back what they call an illegal and exploitative policy will be met with strong resistance. They also expressed concerns about ongoing issues at the teaching hospital, claiming that resident doctors are being victimized, which is affecting healthcare and training.

Similarly, NARD criticized the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for also not providing meals for resident doctors, despite ongoing discussions.

Progress Recorded

Despite these unresolved issues, the association acknowledged some progress in certain areas. They said a ministerial committee set up to look into assaults on healthcare workers has largely completed its work. Another committee looking into excessive workload, long call hours, casualization of medical doctors, and abusive locum appointments is almost done.

NARD noted that there has been progress in resolving employment clearance issues with the Federal Character Commission (FCC). They also thanked state governments and private tertiary health institutions that have started implementing welfare measures, including payments of Professional Allowance arrears and the Medical Residency Training Fund.

Other Demands

NARD further called for a quick conclusion and implementation of outstanding issues under the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). They urged the federal government to approve and act on the recommendations of the ministerial committee about excessive workload and other issues affecting doctors.

They said these measures are needed to protect doctors’ welfare and improve healthcare across the country. They also want all previous agreements made with the federal government to be implemented quickly.

Ultimatum

This latest decision comes weeks after NARD declared an industrial dispute with the federal government on June 8. They issued a 21-day ultimatum over unresolved welfare, pay, and training issues affecting resident doctors nationwide. At that time, the association warned they could not guarantee peace if their demands, including the release of the 2026 MRTF and payment of outstanding salaries, were not met.