The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a two-week deadline to resolve outstanding welfare and professional issues affecting its members, warning that failure to meet the demands could trigger strike action.
The association issued the ultimatum in resolutions adopted at its 46th Annual General Meeting on Sunday in Calabar.
NARD National President, Dr Ogar Emmanuel Idoko, read the resolutions.
The resident doctors said prolonged delays had become intolerable and expressed concern over the slow implementation of agreements reached between the association and the Federal Government.
They called for the government to urgently address outstanding issues involving remuneration, career progression, professional benefits, excessive workload, staff shortages and the overall welfare of resident doctors.
NARD called for “the immediate implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government, particularly those relating to improved conditions of service and professional development.”
In addition, the association also urged “the government to conclude the review of existing remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors, saying the current framework no longer adequately reflected prevailing economic realities.”
The association highlighted that resident doctors are absorbing expanded responsibilities due to severe hospital staffing shortages, demanding equitable compensation for the additional workload.
To address this, NARD called for standardized templates for excessive workload remuneration and reliable tracking systems to substantiate extra duty payments.
The association also expressed concern over physical assaults on healthcare workers, demanding the enforcement of protective policies and anti-assault measures across medical facilities nationwide.
Consequently, NARD urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to take immediate steps to resolve these underlying issues and curb the ongoing brain drain among medical professionals.
Backstory…
The latest ultimatum is the newest chapter in a months-long dispute between the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Federal Government over unpaid entitlements, training funds, remuneration and working conditions.
The resident doctors association declared an industrial dispute in June 2026 and issued the government a 21-day ultimatum after complaining that several agreements reached with authorities had not been implemented. Among the outstanding issues were the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, salary-related arrears, professional allowances and other welfare concerns.
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