The decision came after a six-hour virtual meeting of NARD’s National Executive Council on Wednesday.
NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, said while the government had pledged to address their concerns, the doctors were demanding urgent action.
In a communiqué issued earlier this month and signed by the association’s leadership, NARD listed its demands, including the immediate release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), payment of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, outstanding salary backlogs, and the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears.
The doctors also want prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, recognition of West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, and the issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to all qualified candidates.
Other demands include full implementation of the 2024 CONMESS, resolution of welfare issues affecting doctors in Kaduna State, and urgent intervention at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
Resident doctors, who provide the bulk of clinical services in Nigeria’s federal and state hospitals, have warned that a strike would cripple healthcare nationwide.
Speaking on Thursday, Dr. Osundara confirmed that more than 2,000 resident doctors were still awaiting payment of the MRTF.
“We have given the government 24 hours to ensure disbursement of the MRTF, address our certificate issues, and meet our other demands. If nothing is done by today (Thursday), we will begin strike action tomorrow (Friday),” he said.
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