The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the federal government to meet its outstanding demands. While the association set a deadline, it stopped short of specifying the consequences should the government fail to act within the stipulated period.
This resolution was contained in a communique released at the conclusion of NARD’s May Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and Scientific Conference, which took place from Monday, May 26, to Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Villa Hotel in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
According to the communique, “The OGM gives the National Officers’ Committee the next four weeks to continue engagement with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the above demands, after which the NEC will reappraise the situation.”
The event, a statutory gathering for the association, was held under the theme “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects.” Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, medical director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Benin City, Edo State, delivered the keynote address.
NARD’s demands include:
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Immediate disbursement of arrears following the 25/35% upward adjustment of the CONMESS salary structure and payment of other outstanding salaries.
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Full implementation of consequential adjustments tied to the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage on basic salaries and allowances, including payment of accrued arrears.
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Fast-tracking of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
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Settlement of the 2023/2024 Accoutrement Allowance arrears by the federal government and Chief Medical Directors (CMDs).
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Inclusion of resident doctors in the disbursement of specialist allowances.
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Regularization and proper remuneration of locum doctors.
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Immediate resolution of welfare-related grievances at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC).
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Collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health to develop sustainable employment policies aimed at mitigating brain drain.
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Enhancement of welfare packages for doctors and healthcare personnel in state-owned hospitals and training institutions.
The communique, which was signed by Dr. Osundara Tope (President), Dr. Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola (Secretary-General), and Dr. Amobi Omoha (Public and Social Secretary), conveyed the association’s frustration over what it described as a 16-year-long pattern of underpayment of doctors due to the federal government’s failure to implement proper salary adjustments. It said this was a breach of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The association also took issue with the exclusion of resident doctors from specialist allowance payments and raised concerns over the critical shortage of healthcare professionals in numerous hospitals.
“The OGM strongly condemns the continued and persistent casualization and consequent poor remuneration of doctors by the chief executives of tertiary hospitals,” the communique stated.
NARD also called attention to unresolved welfare issues at OAUTHC, particularly the non-payment of March 2024 salaries and salary arrears ranging from seven to fourteen months owed to resident doctors and medical officers.
Nevertheless, the association acknowledged steps taken by the federal government and its relevant agencies. It recognized the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, IPPIS, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria for their role in addressing MRTF backlogs from 2022 to 2024. It further noted the commendable progress in the processing of the 2025 MRTF.
