Resident doctors have given the federal government 14 days to start fulfilling their demands on welfare and working conditions or face a strike. The deadline begins on 1 October 2026, as stated in a statement released after the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors’ (NARD) 46th Annual General Meeting in Calabar, Cross River State.
The statement was signed by the new President, Ogar Idoko, Secretary-General, Besongngem Akotanchi, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Ashimom Msughter. The meeting took place from 21 to 26 September. The doctors said the ultimatum was necessary because of ongoing delays in addressing various welfare and professional issues, despite past agreements and commitments from the government.
Unpaid allowances and salaries
The resident doctors are demanding immediate payment of 19 months of unpaid Professional Allowance Table (PAT) arrears. They also want payment for outstanding arrears from the 25/35 percent increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) that affects doctors and other health workers. The association mentioned that many doctors are still owed salaries and promotion arrears in different federal health institutions.
They also want immediate corrections to errors in the payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF). They called for an increase in the fund to match the current costs of residency training. The doctors said the revised MRTF should be included in the 2027 Appropriation Act.
Other requests
The resident doctors are pushing for the speedy conclusion of the long-standing Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Nigerian Medical Association and the federal government. They stated that the review of the CONMESS salary structure has been unresolved for about 17 years, contributing to the brain drain in the health sector.
The association also called for a sustainable recruitment system to tackle the serious shortage of healthcare workers caused by the brain drain and ensure safe and effective healthcare delivery. They demanded the enforcement of the approved work-hour regulation policy, including proper biometric systems to track working hours and a standard way to pay doctors for extra work.
The doctors also want the Assault on Health Workers Prevention Policy implemented in all health institutions, with clear accountability. They are calling for the payment of outstanding pension contributions and urgent improvements in healthcare infrastructure, equipment, and essential medical facilities nationwide.
Threat of strike
The AGM resolution requires the NARD National Executive Council (NEC) to closely monitor the government's actions over the next two weeks. The association warned that it would take all necessary lawful actions, including a strike, if the government does not show meaningful compliance within the set deadline.
This latest ultimatum comes after several disputes between resident doctors and the federal government this year. In January, the doctors halted a planned nationwide strike that was supposed to start on 12 January after the National Industrial Court stopped them and the government made new commitments.
In April, resident doctors went on strike over the reversal of the Professional Allowance Table and other unpaid financial obligations. They called off the action less than 24 hours later due to government intervention. In June, the association issued another 21-day ultimatum over unpaid allowances, salary arrears, and delays in the residency training fund.
The latest ultimatum gives the federal government until 1 October to start implementing the resolutions outlined in the statement.
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