Doctors issue 4 -week ultimatum for FG to meet their demands

Monday, June 2, 2025 - The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the federal government to address its long-standing demands. While the association did not outline specific consequences should the government fail to act, it emphasized the urgency of the situation.

This resolution was contained in a communique released at the end of NARD’s May Ordinary General Meeting and Scientific Conference, held from May 26 to May 31, 2025, at Villa Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

“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 communique state

The meeting, themed “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects,” featured a keynote address by Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Benin City.

Key Demands by NARD Include:

 Immediate payment of arrears from the 25/35% CONMESS salary increase and other outstanding salaries

Full implementation of the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage adjustments with arrears

Swift disbursement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF)

Completion of 2023/2024 accoutrement allowance payments

Inclusion of resident doctors in the specialist allowance scheme

Full regularisation and remuneration of locum doctors

Prompt resolution of welfare issues at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC)

Engagement with the Federal Ministry of Health to establish sustainable employment practices and stem the tide of brain drain

Improved welfare packages for doctors in state hospitals and training institutions

The communique—signed by Dr. Osundara Tope (President), Dr. Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola (Secretary-General), and Dr. Amobi Omoha (Public and Social Secretary)—expressed deep concern over what it called 16 years of systematic underpayment of doctors in breach of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

It also decried the exclusion of resident doctors from receiving specialist allowances and highlighted an alarming shortage of medical personnel in hospitals across the country.

“The OGM strongly condemns the continued casualisation and poor remuneration of doctors by chief executives of tertiary hospitals,” the statement read.

Particularly troubling is the situation at OAUTHC, where welfare issues remain unresolved, including the non-payment of March 2024 salaries and between 7 and 14 months of salary arrears for residents and medical officers.

NARD, however, acknowledged recent efforts by the federal government, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, IPPIS, the Accountant-General’s office, and the National Postgraduate Medical College in addressing some issues—especially the backlog of the MRTF from 2022 to 2024. The association also commended the ongoing processing of the 2025 MRTF.