Resident Doctors Issue 21-Day Ultimatum to FG Over Unpaid Allowances, Salary Arrears

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding urgent resolution of unpaid allowances, salary arrears, delayed training funds, and other welfare-related concerns affecting medical practitioners across the country.

The ultimatum was contained in a communique issued after the association’s Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) held in Kano and signed by its leadership, including President Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim.

NARD warned that it would no longer guarantee industrial harmony if the government fails to address the issues within the stipulated timeframe, effectively signalling the possibility of a nationwide medical strike.

“The association hereby declares an industrial dispute with the federal government of Nigeria on the outlined matters above and cannot guarantee industrial harmony after the 21-day window period,” the communique stated.

Among its key demands, the association called for the immediate payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to all eligible resident doctors across the country. It also demanded settlement of salary and promotion arrears in federal and state health institutions, alongside correction of discrepancies in professional allowances.

The doctors further raised concerns about persistent delays in salary payments for house officers, unpaid arrears, and challenges surrounding internship placements and onboarding processes.

NARD also accused the Federal Character Commission of delaying compliance documentation required for recruitment in federal health institutions, a situation it said has worsened manpower shortages and contributed to brain drain in the health sector.

Beyond financial concerns, the association highlighted increasing cases of assault, harassment, and violence against medical personnel while on duty. It called for the establishment of a national healthcare workers’ assault prevention and response protocol within 21 days.

The doctors warned that failure to meet their demands could disrupt healthcare services nationwide, stressing that their members are increasingly overstretched due to poor welfare conditions and systemic inefficiencies.

The development adds to growing tensions in Nigeria’s health sector, where labour disputes over pay, working conditions, and staffing shortages have become recurrent.

The Federal Government is yet to issue an official response to the latest ultimatum.