Resident doctors in Nigeria have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government, demanding immediate implementation of outstanding agreements on their welfare and working conditions or face industrial action beginning 1 October 2026. The directive, issued by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) during its 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Calabar, Cross River State, marks the latest escalation in a prolonged dispute over unpaid allowances, salary arrears, and systemic challenges in the healthcare sector.
The ultimatum, outlined in a communique signed by NARD President Ogar Idoko, Secretary-General Besongngem Akotanchi, and Publicity and Social Secretary Ashimom Msughter, follows persistent delays in addressing critical welfare and professional concerns. The AGM, held from 21 to 26 September 2026, convened to deliberate on unresolved issues that have eroded the working conditions of resident doctors across federal health institutions.
Key demands include the immediate payment of 19 months of outstanding Professional Allowance Table (PAT) arrears, as well as salary adjustments tied to the 25/35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS). The association also called for the correction of errors in the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and its inclusion in the 2027 Appropriation Act to reflect current training costs.
NARD emphasized the urgent need to resolve the 17-year-old CONMESS salary structure review, which has contributed to a brain drain in the health sector. The association highlighted that unresolved financial obligations, including unpaid promotions and pension contributions, have left many medical professionals in a state of financial distress.
The group also demanded the acceleration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Nigerian Medical Association and the federal government. This agreement, stalled for years, is critical to addressing systemic issues such as work-hour regulations, biometric tracking of shifts, and standardized compensation for overtime.
In addition to financial grievances, NARD called for the implementation of the Assault on Health Workers Prevention Policy across all health institutions. The association stressed the need for accountability mechanisms to protect medical staff from violence and ensure safe working environments.
The ultimatum also includes demands for improved healthcare infrastructure, equipment, and facilities, which the association claims are compromising patient safety and the quality of medical training. Poor infrastructure, they argue, has exacerbated the challenges faced by both residents and patients in federal health institutions.
The NARD AGM mandated its National Executive Council (NEC) to closely monitor the government’s response over the next two weeks. Failure to demonstrate meaningful compliance could trigger further industrial action, according to the communique. The association reiterated its commitment to “all necessary lawful and constitutionally sanctioned actions” if demands remain unmet.
This latest ultimatum follows a series of disputes between resident doctors and the federal government in 2026. In January, a planned nationwide strike was suspended after the National Industrial Court restrained the association, and the government made new commitments. A subsequent strike in April, over the reversal of the PAT and unpaid obligations, lasted less than 24 hours before being halted by government interventions.
In June, NARD issued a 21-day ultimatum over unpaid allowances and delays in the MRTF. The current 14-day deadline, set for 1 October 2026, represents the latest in a series of escalating measures aimed at compelling the government to address long-standing grievances.
Public health experts have warned that the ongoing crisis threatens to deepen the existing healthcare workforce shortage. The brain drain of medical professionals, exacerbated by unresolved financial and operational issues, risks further destabilizing an already strained system. Patients, particularly in underserved regions, could face prolonged delays in accessing critical care.
The federal government has yet to issue an official response to the ultimatum. However, previous engagements with NARD have included promises of salary reviews and infrastructure investments, which critics argue have not materialized. The association has called for transparency in the implementation of past commitments.
NARD’s demands underscore broader systemic challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, including underfunding, bureaucratic inertia, and a lack of accountability. The association has urged the government to prioritize the welfare of medical professionals as a prerequisite for improving public health outcomes.
The situation highlights the growing tension between healthcare workers and policymakers, with resident doctors positioning themselves as key stakeholders in the fight for equitable working conditions. Their ultimatum serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of unresolved institutional failures.
The outcome of this standoff could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s healthcare system. If the government fails to act, the potential for prolonged industrial action may further disrupt medical services, compounding the challenges faced by patients and healthcare providers alike.
NARD’s leadership has emphasized that the ultimatum is not a call for confrontation but a necessary step to ensure the government fulfills its obligations. The association has reiterated its commitment to dialogue while reserving the right to escalate actions if negotiations stall.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the federal government can address the concerns of resident doctors or risk further destabilizing an already fragile healthcare sector. For now, the medical community remains on high alert, awaiting a response that could shape the future of healthcare in Nigeria.