The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has handed the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to launch a national protection framework for healthcare workers, citing a alarming rise in assaults against medical personnel nationwide.
Alongside security fears, the association has declared an industrial dispute with the government over 14 unresolved grievances within the healthcare sector, cautioning that a failure to act within three weeks could completely disrupt nationwide medical services.
The decision was announced following NARD’s Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) held in Kano. Addressing the press, NARD President Mohammad Suleiman emphasized that the persistent harassment, intimidation, and violent targeting of doctors are actively crippling an already vulnerable healthcare system.
“The OGM observed with grave concern the disturbing rise in cases of assault, harassment, intimidation and violent attacks against doctors across the country while discharging their professional duties,” Suleiman stated.
He further condemned the ongoing trend, labeling it “barbaric, unacceptable and a dangerous threat” to the very survival of the country’s health infrastructure.
In its official resolutions, NARD insisted on the swift investigation, arrest, and prosecution of anyone targeting healthcare staff. The association also called upon law enforcement and the government to fortify security at medical facilities.
“Consequently, the OGM gives the Federal Government a 21-day window to commence concrete actions towards the development and implementation of a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol, as well as the initiation of the necessary legislative process to address this menace,” Suleiman announced.
READ MORE: Oyo Schools Shut Down: Teachers ground classes over unresolved abductions
The dispute also hinges heavily on significant financial and welfare arrears that NARD says the government has failed to settle.
Chief among these demands is the immediate payout of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), which remains outstanding despite prior official commitments.
“The OGM demands the release and payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund to all eligible resident doctors nationwide within the next 21 days,” Suleiman noted.
The resident doctors are also demanding:
The immediate payment of outstanding 25/35 percent CONMESS arrears.
The clearance of 19 months of unpaid professional allowance arrears.
The resolution of salary and promotion arrears across both state and federal medical institutions.
The correction of May 2026 professional allowance discrepancies and their associated back-payments.
Furthermore, NARD highlighted the deteriorating working conditions of house officers, pointing to delayed salaries, internship onboarding hurdles, and unpaid arrears. The association called for the comprehensive execution of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), while urging authorities to curb severe workloads, excessive call hours, doctor casualization, and exploitative locum employment practices.
The association took aim at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), asserting that bureaucratic delays in issuing compliance letters are blocking vital recruitment and intensifying the ongoing brain drain crisis.
“The OGM demands the immediate issuance of a letter of compliance by the Chairperson of the FCC within the next 21 days to facilitate employment of healthcare workers and avert further worsening of the brain drain crisis,” Suleiman stated.
On a local level, NARD pressed both state and federal tertiary health centers to fix localized issues regarding pay, staffing, and basic infrastructure. They explicitly pointed to unresolved friction at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, where issues range from the victimization of medical staff to the basic provision of call meals.
While NARD extended appreciation to Governors Ademola Adeleke and Abba Kabir Yusuf for their recent interventions in the health sector, they reiterated that a major shutdown looms if their core demands are ignored.
“The Association hereby declares an industrial dispute with the Federal Government on the outlined matters above and cannot guarantee industrial harmony after the 21-day window,” NARD warned.
Moving forward, NARD’s National Officers Committee intends to engage with relevant authorities during the 21-day window, after which the National Executive Council will convene to decide on a strike based on the government’s response.
