Samuel Omang
Nigeria’s public health system is on the edge of paralysis as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has handed the Federal Government a final 24-hour ultimatum to meet its outstanding demands—or face a crippling nationwide strike.
The decision followed a tense six-hour virtual meeting of NARD’s National Executive Council on Wednesday, during which the doctors expressed frustration over the government’s failure to honour agreements despite repeated assurances.
NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, warned that over 2,000 resident doctors are still awaiting payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF). He declared:
“We have given the government till today (Thursday) to release the MRTF and address our demands. If there is no payment, by tomorrow (Friday), we will commence a nationwide strike immediately.”
In a communiqué issued earlier this month, signed by Dr. Osundara, NARD General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, the association listed its core demands:
Immediate release of the 2025 MRTF.
Settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review.
Payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears.
Prompt disbursement of specialist allowances.
Restoration of recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
Issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to all qualified candidates.
Implementation of the 2024 CONMESS and resolution of welfare issues in Kaduna State and at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
Resident doctors provide the backbone of clinical services in Nigeria’s federal and state hospitals. Any withdrawal of their services often results in chaos—overcrowded wards, cancelled surgeries, and stranded patients.
Healthcare observers warn that if the strike goes ahead, hospitals nationwide could be thrown into turmoil, worsening the already fragile healthcare delivery system.
According to Dr. Osundara, the Federal Government reached out to NARD on Wednesday with fresh promises to address the doctors’ grievances. But the association insists that action, not words, will determine its next steps.
“We’ve heard promises before. This time, only immediate payment and action will stop the strike,” Dr. Osundara stressed.
With the ultimatum set to expire Thursday night, Nigerians may wake up on Friday to empty consulting rooms and overstretched emergency units if the government fails to act.
The coming hours will determine whether Nigeria’s hospitals remain functional—or descend into silence.