The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has scheduled an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting for Saturday, October 25, 2025, to review its 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over unresolved welfare and policy issues.
A notice signed by Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD’s Secretary-General, and obtained by The Punch, indicated that the meeting will hold virtually and 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 notice read.
The outcome of the meeting will determine whether resident doctors will embark on another round of industrial action.
NARD had on September 26 issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the settlement of outstanding 25% and 35% upward review arrears of CONMESS, which were expected to be paid by August 2025.
Lingering Issues
The doctors lamented poor working conditions, excessive work hours, and the non-payment of promotion arrears across federal tertiary hospitals. They also condemned the dismissal of five doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, amid growing burnout and mass emigration of medical professionals.
Other grievances include:
- Non-payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance.
- Bureaucratic delays in upgrading doctors after postgraduate exams.
- Exclusion from the specialist allowance despite performing specialist-level duties.
- Downgrading of newly employed doctors from CONMESS 3 Step 3 to CONMESS 2 Step 2, resulting in salary shortfalls.
- Slow progress on the collective bargaining agreement between the NMA and government.
NARD also criticized the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for downgrading membership certificates issued by the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, describing the move as unprofessional and inconsistent with regional standards.
Brain Drain and Health Sector Decay
The association warned that persistent brain drain, caused by poor remuneration and obsolete hospital infrastructure, continues to cripple Nigeria’s healthcare system.
It further decried the non-implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy, leaving hospitals severely understaffed as doctors migrate abroad.
Additionally, NARD rejected the creation of consultant cadres for non-medical doctors, calling it “a direct threat to patient safety and medical standards.”
The group urged the government to honor the July 26, 2025 Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which includes provisions for special pension benefits for doctors.
What’s Next
The October 25 E-NEC meeting will serve as a decisive moment for NARD, as members weigh whether to resume industrial action or accept the government’s assurances.
If the government fails to address the union’s concerns, Nigeria could once again face a nationwide healthcare shutdown, disrupting services in federal and teaching hospitals across the country.
