Resident Doctors Give FG August 10 Deadline, Threaten Nationwide Strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) gives the Federal Government until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, 10 August 2026, to resolve longstanding welfare and remuneration issues or face a total and comprehensive nationwide industrial strike.

The association announces the ultimatum in a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and Annual National Scientific Conference held in Gombe State from 26 to 31 July 2026. The meeting holds under the theme, “Strengthening Healthcare Systems: Resident Doctors at the Forefront.”

According to the communiqué, jointly signed by NARD President, Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the NEC resolves to embark on a Total and Comprehensive Industrial Strike (TICS) if the government fails to satisfactorily address the outstanding issues before the deadline expires.

The association says its decision follows dissatisfaction with the slow pace of implementation of agreements previously reached with the Federal Government.

Among NARD’s core demands are the immediate payment of outstanding salary arrears, promotion arrears, the 25/35 percent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review arrears, and 19 months of unpaid Professional Allowance. The association also calls for the inclusion of eligible resident doctors omitted from the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.

NARD separately raises concerns over the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), alleging persistent intimidation of resident doctors by hospital management and a refusal to provide call-duty meals. The association warns that failure to resolve the LUTH dispute before 10 August could independently trigger industrial action.

The NEC condemns what it describes as growing assaults, harassment and intimidation against doctors nationwide and demands urgent measures to protect healthcare workers, including a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol and legislation to criminalise assaults on health personnel.

The association also highlights the shrinking size of Nigeria’s resident medical workforce, saying the country had about 25,000 resident doctors 11 years ago compared with a little over 12,000 today, of whom roughly 10,000 work in federal health institutions and about 2,000 in state-owned and private facilities, for a population exceeding 230 million.

NARD commends the Federal Government for paying the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund to many eligible doctors and calls for those omitted to be paid immediately. It also commends the governments of Osun, Kaduna, Oyo, Rivers and Plateau states for improving doctors’ welfare and urges other states to follow their example.

The NEC calls on the Federal and State Governments to increase investment in healthcare, strengthen primary healthcare services, accelerate universal health coverage, recruit and retain more health personnel, and rehabilitate public health infrastructure nationwide.

Dr Suleiman says the association remains committed to dialogue but insists that the welfare of resident doctors and the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system are non-negotiable.