Nigerian Doctors Issue 24-Hour Strike Ultimatum to Federal Government

Nigerian resident doctors have given the federal government a fresh 24-hour ultimatum to address their unmet demands or face a nationwide strike. This decision follows the expiration of an earlier 10-day deadline on September 10, which passed without meaningful government action .

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) held a six-hour virtual meeting on Wednesday, where its National Executive Council unanimously resolved to issue the new ultimatum. The doctors are demanding immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, and resolution of other long-standing salary backlogs .

Additional demands include payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, and restoration of recognition for West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. The association also called on the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all deserving candidates without further delay .

NARD President Dr. Tope Osundara stated that the federal government had contacted the association on Wednesday with promises to address their concerns. However, after careful deliberation, the doctors decided to give the government a final 24 hours to demonstrate concrete action, particularly through the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund to beneficiaries and the upgrading of membership certificates .

More than 2,000 resident doctors across Nigeria are still awaiting payment of the MRTF. If the government fails to meet these demands by the deadline, the doctors will begin an immediate strike on Friday .

Resident doctors form the backbone of Nigeria’s public health system, providing most clinical services in federal and state hospitals. Any strike action by NARD typically paralyzes healthcare delivery, leaving patients stranded and hospitals overstretched .

The association has also highlighted state-level issues, criticizing the Kaduna State Government for failing to honor agreements with doctors at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital and the Oyo State Government for neglecting welfare concerns at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, where doctors remain on indefinite strike .

This latest ultimatum reflects growing frustration among healthcare workers over the government’s consistent failure to address their welfare concerns, despite repeated promises and extensions of previous deadlines .