Thousands of Nigerian Resident Doctors Still Await Seven Months’ Pay Arrears Amid Government Claims of Settlement

More than 2,000 resident doctors in Nigeria remain unpaid for seven months of salary adjustments, despite the Federal Government’s assertion that the arrears have been fully settled, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has said.

NARD’s president, Dr. Mohammad Suleman, stated that although the government maintains it has addressed the outstanding Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears, thousands of its members are yet to receive the owed funds. He emphasised that the issue has repeatedly been shifted into “service‑wide vote” provisions instead of being properly included in the national budget, creating ongoing delays.

Negotiations between NARD and government representatives, including the Federal Ministry of Health, are reportedly continuing, with cautious optimism that progress could be made soon. The association has stressed that future decisions on industrial action will be based on evidence of genuine government commitment.

Earlier this week, the National Industrial Court granted an injunction restraining NARD from beginning a nationwide strike planned for January 12, but the association has insisted that unresolved welfare concerns—including unpaid arrears—are the driving force behind its planned actions.

The situation reflects wider tensions in the health sector, where doctors have repeatedly warned that unpaid allowances and delayed salary adjustments could trigger industrial disputes and undermine Nigeria’s healthcare delivery.