Resident Doctors Give Government Ultimatum, Threaten Strike Over Unpaid Benefits

Resident doctors across Nigeria are preparing for a nationwide strike on September 10, citing unpaid allowances and poor government response to their demands.

Speaking on Wednesday, the President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Tope Osundara, said thousands of doctors remain without access to the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF). The delay, he explained, is preventing doctors from registering for crucial exams before the September 5 deadline, a situation that could push their training back by a full year.

“Our members are frustrated. Only a fraction of the arrears owed has been released, and even that was underpaid. If nothing changes before the ultimatum ends, industrial peace cannot be guaranteed,” Osundara said.

NARD’s grievances include unpaid salary arrears, allowances, and training funds. The association had earlier issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and relevant agencies, warning of strike action if issues were left unresolved.

Although the government recently formed a Collective Bargaining Committee to negotiate with health unions, NARD insists the move has yet to produce any meaningful outcome.

Some state chapters are already on strike. Resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso have been off duty since late July, while doctors in Kaduna State walked out on September 1.