RESIDENT DOCTORS GIVE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TWO WEEKS TO MEET DEMANDS OR RISK NATIONWIDE INDUSTRIAL ACTION
The National Association of Resident Doctors has given the Federal Government two weeks to address outstanding welfare and professional demands, warning that failure to act could trigger industrial action. The doctors are demanding action on pay, professional allowances, career progression, excessive workloads, manpower shortages and outstanding entitlements.
The National Association of Resident Doctors has issued the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to resolve outstanding welfare and professional demands, raising the possibility of another major disruption to Nigeria's public health system if negotiations fail.
The ultimatum was announced following NARD's 46th Annual General Meeting held in Calabar, Cross River State, on Sunday, September 27.
The association expressed frustration over what it described as the slow implementation of agreements previously reached with the Federal Government.
NARD warned that failure to resolve the outstanding issues within the two-week window could trigger industrial action.
The doctors' demands cover remuneration, career progression, professional allowances, excessive workloads, manpower shortages and other unresolved welfare issues affecting doctors across the country.
DOCTORS DEMAND ACTION ON PAY AND ALLOWANCES
NARD called for the immediate implementation of agreements previously reached with the Federal Government, particularly those involving conditions of service and professional development.
The association also wants the government to conclude its review of existing remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors.
Resident doctors argue that the current framework does not adequately reflect prevailing economic conditions.
Outstanding salaries, allowances and other entitlements have repeatedly featured in disputes between NARD and government authorities.
The association has also raised concerns over delays affecting house officers and other doctors owed payments across different health institutions.
MANPOWER SHORTAGES PUSHING DOCTORS TO THE LIMIT
Beyond salaries, NARD highlighted what it described as an increasingly serious manpower shortage across Nigerian hospitals.
The association says doctors remaining in the country's health system are being forced to shoulder additional responsibilities as staffing levels decline.
NARD wants doctors performing duties beyond their normal workloads to receive appropriate compensation.
It also called for standardized templates for determining compensation for excessive workloads and reliable data showing the additional responsibilities being performed by affected doctors.
The continued migration of medical professionals from Nigeria has intensified concerns about staffing shortages in the country's health system.
NARD urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to address factors contributing to the departure of medical professionals.
CONCERNS OVER ATTACKS ON HEALTH WORKERS
Security inside hospitals also featured prominently in the doctors' demands.
NARD called for stronger implementation of measures designed to protect doctors and other healthcare workers from assaults while performing their duties.
The association has repeatedly raised concerns about attacks, harassment and intimidation involving medical personnel.
It wants existing anti-assault policies fully implemented to improve safety in health facilities.
NARD ADDRESSES ELECTRONIC CLOCKING SYSTEMS
The association also addressed the introduction of electronic clocking systems in hospitals.
NARD said it is not opposed to the technology but wants the systems implemented properly.
The doctors maintain that electronic monitoring should primarily support accurate workforce and data management rather than be used as a punitive measure against medical personnel.
TWO-WEEK WINDOW FOR GOVERNMENT
The Federal Government now has two weeks to address the outstanding demands before NARD determines its next course of action.
The association has not announced an immediate nationwide strike.
Instead, it has warned that failure to make sufficient progress during the ultimatum could result in industrial action.
That distinction is significant because public hospitals remain heavily dependent on resident doctors for day-to-day medical services.
Any widespread withdrawal of their services could affect healthcare delivery across federal and other public health institutions.
DISPUTES HAVE CONTINUED THROUGHOUT 2026
Sunday's ultimatum follows several confrontations between NARD and government authorities this year.
In June, the association declared an industrial dispute and issued a 21-day ultimatum over unresolved remuneration, training and welfare concerns.
Among the issues raised at the time were the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, salary-related arrears, professional allowances and outstanding payments affecting doctors.
NARD renewed pressure on the government later that month and continued negotiations over the following weeks.
A planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin in August was later shelved after further engagement with government authorities.
The latest ultimatum indicates that significant areas of disagreement remain unresolved.
NEW NARD LEADERSHIP TAKES OVER
The Calabar meeting also produced a new national leadership for the association.
Dr. Ogar Emmanuel Idoko emerged as NARD's new national president alongside other members of the National Executive Council.
The new leadership has been tasked with pursuing implementation of the association's resolutions while continuing negotiations with the government.
NARD says resolving the outstanding issues would reduce burnout, improve doctors' welfare and strengthen healthcare delivery.
The immediate focus will now turn to the Federal Government's response during the two-week window.
For patients and public hospitals across Nigeria, the outcome could determine whether the dispute is resolved through negotiations or develops into another nationwide confrontation between resident doctors and the government.
