The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning that it may no longer guarantee industrial harmony if longstanding issues affecting its members are not addressed within the stipulated period.
The warning was contained in a communiqué issued after the association’s Ordinary General Meeting held in Kano. The communiqué was signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim.
The association declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government, citing unpaid allowances, salary and promotion arrears, delays in the release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, and persistent welfare challenges confronting doctors across the country.
NARD demanded the immediate disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund to all eligible resident doctors nationwide and expressed concerns over discrepancies in professional allowances contained in members’ May 2026 salaries. It also highlighted unresolved issues affecting house officers, including delayed salaries, unpaid arrears, and challenges surrounding internship placements and onboarding processes.
The doctors further accused the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Dr. Muheeba Dankaka, of delaying the issuance of compliance letters to federal health institutions, a situation they said had worsened manpower shortages and contributed to the growing brain drain in the health sector.
The association also raised alarm over the increasing cases of assault, intimidation, harassment and violent attacks against doctors while on duty. It called on the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators and to establish a national healthcare workers’ assault prevention and response protocol.
According to the communiqué, the association is giving the government 21 days to begin concrete action on all the demands, warning that failure to do so could disrupt industrial peace within the country’s health sector.
