The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to embark on a nationwide industrial action from August 10, 2026, if the Federal Government fails to address outstanding welfare and remuneration issues affecting its members.
The decision was reached at the association’s July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Gombe, where members expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of implementation of agreements reached with the government.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, NARD said it would commence a total and comprehensive nationwide strike at 8:00 a.m. on August 10 if its demands were not met before the deadline.
Among the key issues raised by the association are the payment of 19 months’ professional allowance arrears, outstanding arrears arising from the 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary adjustment, unpaid salary and promotion arrears in several federal health institutions and unresolved welfare issues affecting House Officers.
The doctors also demanded action on excessive workload, prolonged call-duty hours, the casualisation of medical doctors, abuse of locum appointments and outstanding matters under the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement.
NARD maintained that while it remained committed to dialogue, the welfare of resident doctors and the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system could not be compromised.
The association also expressed concern over increasing cases of assault, harassment, intimidation and attacks on healthcare workers, describing the trend as a major threat to healthcare delivery.
It called for the development of a national protocol to prevent and respond to attacks on health workers, alongside legislation to criminalise assaults against medical personnel.
The association further decried poor infrastructure in many public hospitals, citing inadequate medical equipment, poor maintenance, unstable electricity supply and other deficiencies that it said were affecting patient care, medical training and service delivery.
NARD also raised concerns over inadequate healthcare funding, shortage of health workers, poor access to quality healthcare and the growing burden of out-of-pocket medical expenses on Nigerians.
However, it commended the Federal Government for disbursing the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund to eligible resident doctors and acknowledged progress made by a ministerial committee addressing excessive workload and related welfare issues.
The association specifically expressed concern over unresolved welfare issues at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), including the alleged intimidation of resident doctors and the non-provision of call-duty meals.
It warned that failure to resolve the LUTH issues and other outstanding demands before August 10 would leave it with no option but to commence a nationwide industrial action.
NARD also urged the Federal and State Governments to improve healthcare financing, strengthen primary healthcare services, expand universal health coverage and recruit more healthcare professionals to address manpower shortages
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