Resident Doctors Issue Fresh 21-Day Ultimatum To Federal, State Govts Over Unpaid Salaries, Allowances
29th June, 2026 | News
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a fresh 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, defaulting state governments and hospital managements to settle outstanding salaries, allowances and other welfare entitlements owed to its members.
The association warned that authorities who continue to deny resident doctors their legitimate rights would be held responsible for any industrial unrest that may arise.
The ultimatum was contained in a communiqué issued after the Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday, June 27, 2026, following the expiration of an earlier 21-day notice given to the Federal Government during the association’s May 2026 Ordinary General Meeting.
According to the communiqué, the council reviewed reports from its National Officers’ Committee on engagements with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), assessed the implementation of previous agreements and examined issues affecting resident doctors nationwide.
After extensive deliberations, NARD expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the government’s slow response to long-standing welfare concerns. Among the unresolved issues is the non-disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), despite repeated assurances by the authorities.
The association also condemned the continued delay in the payment of House Officers’ salaries, outstanding salary and promotion arrears, the 25/35 per cent CONMESS upward review arrears, and the 19 months’ Professional Allowance (PAT) arrears owed to doctors across several federal and state health institutions.
NARD demanded the immediate payment of all outstanding entitlements, implementation of the revised CONMESS salary structure, Specialist Allowance, Medical Residency Training Fund and other agreed welfare packages within the next 21 days.
While commending states and private tertiary health institutions that have complied with some of the welfare agreements, the association urged defaulting employers to follow suit.
The council also criticised hospital managements that have failed to provide call meals for resident doctors, warning that any institution that continues to deny the entitlement would bear responsibility for any industrial disharmony.
NARD raised fresh concerns over the lingering crisis at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, alleging continued victimisation of resident doctors and accusing the management of attempting to reintroduce bench fees in private tertiary health institutions despite an existing government directive abolishing the practice.
The association also faulted the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for its continued refusal to provide call meals for resident doctors despite ongoing engagements.
Beyond welfare issues, NARD called for the full implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and urged the Federal Government to immediately approve and implement the recommendations of the Ministerial Committee on Excessive Workload, Prolonged Call Hours, Casualisation of Medical Doctors and Abusive Locum Appointments.
The association, however, acknowledged progress made by the Ministerial Committee on Assaults Against Healthcare Workers and welcomed developments in resolving employment clearance issues involving the Federal Character Commission.
Although NARD did not declare a nationwide strike, it warned that failure by the Federal Government, state governments and hospital managements to implement all outstanding agreements within the new 21-day deadline could trigger industrial unrest across the country’s health sector.