The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued the Federal Government a fresh 30-day ultimatum to resolve long-standing welfare and policy issues affecting its members, including unpaid salary arrears, promotion entitlements, and the reinstatement of sacked doctors.
The ultimatum was announced in a communiqué released at the end of NARD’s 45th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, which held in Katsina State from September 21 to 26. The document was signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
The conference, themed “Mitigating Health Worker Migration through Extra-Remuneration Incentives: A Strategy for Sustainable Development”, also saw a leadership transition, with Dr. Suleiman elected as president to succeed Dr. Tope Osundara.
The doctors warned that the government’s failure to meet their demands within the deadline could trigger fresh industrial action.
Earlier in September, NARD staged a five-day warning strike but suspended it after two days, following the release of funds for the Medical Residency Training Fund. The suspension was intended to give the government two weeks to address other pressing demands.
The association maintains that failure to act decisively on these issues risks worsening the exodus of health workers abroad, further straining Nigeria’s already fragile health system.
