The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), has threatened to embark on a nationwide total and comprehensive industrial strike beginning Monday, August 10, 2026, if the Federal Government fails to address longstanding welfare issues affecting its members.

The decision was reached at the association’s July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Gombe.

In a communiqué jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, and Secretary, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, the association expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the slow implementation of agreements previously reached with the Federal Government.

According to the communiqué, the NEC resolved to commence an indefinite nationwide strike at 8:00 a.m. on August 10 should the government fail to satisfactorily address the outstanding issues before the expiration of the deadline.

It partly reads: “The NEC reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement and dialogue but reiterated that the welfare of resident doctors and the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system remain non-negotiable.”

Among its demands, NARD called for the immediate payment of outstanding 25/35 per cent CONMESS upward review arrears, settlement of 19 months’ Professional Allowance arrears, payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears, and inclusion of all eligible resident doctors omitted from the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund disbursement.

The association also urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to fast-track the implementation of recommendations of the ministerial committee on excessive workload, prolonged call duty hours, casualisation of doctors and abuse of locum appointments.

On the lingering crisis at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), NARD demanded an immediate resolution, alleging persistent intimidation of resident doctors by the hospital management and failure to provide call-duty meals.

It warned that failure to resolve the issues before August 10 would leave the association with no option but to commence industrial action.

Beyond the strike notice, NARD condemned the persistent assaults, harassment, intimidation and violent attacks against healthcare workers across the country, calling for the development and implementation of a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol.

The association also urged the government to initiate legislation criminalising assaults on healthcare workers nationwide.

Expressing concern over the state of public health facilities, NARD demanded urgent rehabilitation and upgrading of healthcare infrastructure across public institutions, including the provision of modern medical equipment, functional diagnostic facilities, uninterrupted power supply and an enabling working environment to improve healthcare delivery, residency training and patient safety.

It further decried limited access to quality healthcare, attributing the challenge to inadequate health financing, shortage of healthcare personnel and rising out-of-pocket medical expenses.

The association therefore called on the Federal and State Governments to increase investment in the health sector through improved health financing, strengthened primary healthcare, accelerated implementation of Universal Health Coverage and the recruitment and retention of healthcare workers.

NARD also appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration to implement the Professional Allowance Table, correct doctors’ entry level, settle outstanding CONMESS review arrears and other allowances, while urging the Kaduna State Government to fully implement the revised Professional Allowance Table from August 2026.

Similarly, it called on the management of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri; Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi; Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex; and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital to urgently resolve salary and welfare issues affecting resident doctors.

Despite its grievances, the association commended the Federal Government for the successful disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund to eligible beneficiaries.

It also praised the governors of Osun, Kaduna, Oyo, Rivers and Plateau states for improvements in doctors’ welfare, remuneration, healthcare infrastructure and manpower development.

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