Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors Summons Emergency Meeting to Decide Next Steps as Ultimatum to Federal Government Expires

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has scheduled an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting to review its 30-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over unresolved welfare and policy issues.

In a notice obtained on Tuesday and addressed to the association’s National Officers’ Committee, Caucus Leaders, Centre Presidents, and General Secretaries, NARD announced that the meeting will hold virtually on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

According to the notice signed by the Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, the session will focus on evaluating the government’s response to the association’s demands. “Your presence and participation are crucial in addressing the matter at hand,” the letter read in part.

The outcome of the meeting will determine whether the doctors will proceed with industrial action after the expiration of the 30-day deadline issued on September 26.

NARD’s demands include the payment of outstanding 25% and 35% CONMESS arrears, settlement of promotion arrears in federal hospitals, and payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance. The group also protested the dismissal of five resident doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, describing it as unfair and demoralising amid the worsening brain drain in the sector.

Other grievances highlighted include delays in rank upgrades following postgraduate examinations, exclusion from specialist allowances, and the continued casualisation of medical workers, which has left many resident doctors without job security for years.

NARD further expressed concern over the downgrading of membership certificates issued by the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, as well as the failure of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue certificates to qualified graduates.

The association also faulted the government’s failure to implement the one-for-one replacement policy for exiting doctors, the creation of consultant cadres for non-medical doctors, and non-implementation of agreed special pension benefits outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Nigerian Medical Association in July 2025.

According to NARD, these issues, coupled with poor working conditions, inadequate remuneration, and deteriorating hospital infrastructure, continue to fuel the mass exodus of medical professionals from Nigeria.