The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has extended by four weeks its expired 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning it could embark on an industrial action if its demands remain unmet.
The decision was announced in a communiqué issued after the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Saturday.
The communiqué was jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
The association said the extension followed a review of the government’s response to the 21-day ultimatum issued at its May Ordinary General Meeting, which expired without full implementation of its demands.
According to NARD, the additional four-week window is intended to allow the Federal Government to address the outstanding issues before its next National Executive Council meeting scheduled for July in Gombe State.
Despite the extension, the association declared an industrial dispute with the government over unresolved welfare and professional concerns affecting resident doctors nationwide.
It warned that it could no longer guarantee industrial harmony beyond the new deadline and directed its National Officers’ Committee to begin preparations for possible industrial action should the government fail to comply.
NARD said although engagements with relevant government agencies had yielded some progress, key issues remained unresolved despite repeated assurances.
The outstanding demands include the release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of delayed salaries for house officers, outstanding entitlements in several training centres, unpaid 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS arrears, 19 months of unpaid professional allowance arrears, as well as salary and promotion arrears owed to doctors.
The association also called for accelerated implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement and the recommendations of ministerial committees on the welfare and safety of healthcare workers.
NARD said it remains committed to dialogue but reserved the right to take industrial action if the government fails to address its demands within the extended deadline.
