NARD Threatens Nationwide Strike In Public Health Institutions, Issues August 10 Ultimatum To FG Over 10-point Demand
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has given the Federal Government up till Monday, August 10, 2026, to implement the terms of an earlier Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed by both parties or face an indefinite nationwide strike that would paralyse activities in public health institutions nationwide.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has given the Federal Government up till Monday, August 10, 2026, to implement the terms of an earlier Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed by both parties or face an indefinite nationwide strike that would paralyse activities in public health institutions nationwide.
The 14- day ultimatum was issued in a
communiqué jointly signed by NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity Secretary, Abdulmajid Yahya, following the conclusion of the association’s week-long National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held from July 26 to July 31, 2026, in Gombe State.
NARD called on the Federal Government to urgently resolve these concerns to maintain industrial harmony and safeguard the survival of Nigeria's healthcare delivery system.
The NEC meeting was hosted by the NARD, Gomhe State chapter.
NARD called on the Federal Government to urgently resolve these concerns to maintain industrial harmony and safeguard the survival of Nigeria's healthcare delivery system.
The NEC meeting was hosted by the NARD, Gomhe State chapter.
At a news conference on the occasion, NARD noted that the association gathered medical delegates to deliberate on pressing challenges within the health sector, adding that delegates expressed grave concern over what they described as the worsening state of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
According to them, among the top on the list of grievances of members included the persistent cases of assault, harassment, and violent attacks on doctors while discharging their duties, alongside poor remuneration, non-payment of outstanding salaries and promotion arrears, deteriorating working conditions, and the alleged intimidation and poor treatment of resident doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH.
Furthermore, NARD also painted a grim picture of the country’s dwindling medical workforce and deteriorating infrastructure, noting that while Nigeria had about 25,000 resident doctors 11 years ago, only a little over 12,000 were available today to provide care for a population exceeding 230 million people. According to NARD, out of the over 12,000 resident doctors, approximately 10,000 were employed by federal health institutions, while only about 2,000 are spread across state-owned and private health facilities nationwide.
In its 13-point demand for the government, NARD warned that failure to substantially address the issues before the August 10 deadline would trigger a full-scale industrial action.
They then asked the Federal Government to develop a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol as well as enact laws to criminalize assaults on health personnel.
Other demands include:
*Resolving the crisis at LUTH, calling Chief Medical Director Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo to order over the persistent intimidation of doctors, and restoring call-duty meals.
*Immediate payment of outstanding 25/35% CONMESS upward review arrears and 19 months of Professional Allowance arrears.
*Payment of omitted 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF, allowances, as well as outstanding salary and promotion arrears across various federal health institutions.
*Addressing severe workload pressures, excessive call duty hours, casualization of doctors, and welfare challenges affecting House Officers.
*Urgent rehabilitation, upgrading, and equitable distribution of healthcare infrastructure and modern medical equipment nationwide.
NARD further noted that while it had repeatedly extended previous ultimatums in good faith, it would no longer tolerate delays in addressing the welfare and safety of its members, and urged the Federal Government to urgently resolve their concerns to maintain industrial harmony and safeguard the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.
According to them, among the top on the list of grievances of members included the persistent cases of assault, harassment, and violent attacks on doctors while discharging their duties, alongside poor remuneration, non-payment of outstanding salaries and promotion arrears, deteriorating working conditions, and the alleged intimidation and poor treatment of resident doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH.
Furthermore, NARD also painted a grim picture of the country’s dwindling medical workforce and deteriorating infrastructure, noting that while Nigeria had about 25,000 resident doctors 11 years ago, only a little over 12,000 were available today to provide care for a population exceeding 230 million people. According to NARD, out of the over 12,000 resident doctors, approximately 10,000 were employed by federal health institutions, while only about 2,000 are spread across state-owned and private health facilities nationwide.
In its 13-point demand for the government, NARD warned that failure to substantially address the issues before the August 10 deadline would trigger a full-scale industrial action.
They then asked the Federal Government to develop a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol as well as enact laws to criminalize assaults on health personnel.
Other demands include:
*Resolving the crisis at LUTH, calling Chief Medical Director Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo to order over the persistent intimidation of doctors, and restoring call-duty meals.
*Immediate payment of outstanding 25/35% CONMESS upward review arrears and 19 months of Professional Allowance arrears.
*Payment of omitted 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF, allowances, as well as outstanding salary and promotion arrears across various federal health institutions.
*Addressing severe workload pressures, excessive call duty hours, casualization of doctors, and welfare challenges affecting House Officers.
*Urgent rehabilitation, upgrading, and equitable distribution of healthcare infrastructure and modern medical equipment nationwide.
NARD further noted that while it had repeatedly extended previous ultimatums in good faith, it would no longer tolerate delays in addressing the welfare and safety of its members, and urged the Federal Government to urgently resolve their concerns to maintain industrial harmony and safeguard the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.
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