Resident Doctors Threaten Nationwide Strike from September 10

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has reaffirmed its decision to embark on a nationwide strike beginning September 10 if the Federal Government fails to meet its outstanding demands.

NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, confirmed this in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, noting that the association’s recent meeting with government officials on Monday produced no meaningful progress. Earlier this week, the doctors issued a 10-day ultimatum to relevant agencies, warning that industrial action would commence if their grievances remained unresolved.

At the heart of the dispute is the government’s failure to fully implement financial commitments, including the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), the payment of five months’ arrears from the 25%/35% CONMESS salary review, other longstanding salary arrears, and the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance. Osundara revealed that over 2,000 doctors have yet to receive the MRTF, with the registration deadline closing on September 5. He warned that delayed payments would force many residents to miss exams, effectively extending their training by one year at additional cost to the government.

“The 10-day ultimatum is still counting, and there has been no positive response at all,” he said. “If my members cannot register for their exams, the government has automatically extended their training. This only compounds losses for both doctors and the government.”

Although the Federal Government inaugurated a Committee on Collective Bargaining three weeks ago tasked with negotiating remuneration, working conditions, and welfare across the health sector NARD insists that no substantive action has followed. Osundara further noted that only two months of outstanding arrears have been partially settled, and even then, “not the accurate amount.”

Meanwhile, resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, have been on strike since July 29, while their counterparts in Kaduna State began an indefinite strike on September 1 to press home similar demands.

As the September 10 deadline approaches, NARD has warned that industrial harmony cannot be guaranteed, raising fears of a fresh disruption in Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system.