The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a stark 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, threatening to embark on an indefinite and total strike. This drastic action will follow if authorities fail to fully execute the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) both parties agreed to just days ago.
The Crucial 30-Day Deadline
Dr. Mohamed Suleiman, the National President of NARD, presented the fresh strike notice during a press briefing held in Abuja. He stated that the association's patience is wearing thin. The ultimatum stems from the government's failure to act on the latest MoU, which was signed on November 27, 2025. This agreement was the very reason NARD suspended its initial industrial action, which began on November 1, 2025.
The doctors are demanding immediate and concrete steps from the government. They insist on the complete implementation of the pact, warning that anything less will trigger a major healthcare shutdown across the nation's public hospitals.
Outstanding Demands and Grievances
NARD has outlined specific, unresolved issues that the government must address without further delay. The core demands include:
- Payment of promotion arrears owed to members.
- Clearance of outstanding salary arrears.
- Implementation of the agreed specialist allowance.
- Reinstatement of five resident doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lokoja, who the association claims were unjustly dismissed.
A particularly pressing financial issue is the non-payment of the reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS). Approximately 40% of NARD members are yet to receive their 25% or 35% upward salary adjustment. To tackle this, NARD resolved to obtain a Remita report from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). This will help identify and correct payment omissions to ensure all owed amounts are settled.
Human Cost and a Final Appeal
Dr. Suleiman painted a grim picture of the profession's state in Nigeria, asserting that doctors have not been treated fairly. He revealed a tragic consequence of the recent industrial action, noting that some doctors lost their lives to various health conditions during the strike period.
The decision to issue this new strike notice was ratified during an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting of NARD, held on Saturday, November 29, 2025. While presenting the ultimatum, the association still made a final appeal to the government. They urged officials to "immediately swing into action" to honor the newest pact and avert another debilitating strike that would cripple an already strained health sector.
The clock is now ticking on the 30-day deadline. The nation watches to see if a resolution can be found or if public hospitals will face another major disruption.
