Resident Doctors Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Unpaid Arrears, Poor Welfare

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to embark on a nationwide total and comprehensive industrial strike from 8:00am on Monday, August 10, 2026, if the federal government fails to address outstanding welfare issues affecting its members, including unpaid salary arrears, allowances and poor working conditions.

The warning was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Gombe from July 26 to 31 and signed by its President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, and Secretary, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim.

NARD said the decision followed its dissatisfaction with the slow implementation of agreements previously reached with the federal government.

“The NEC resolved to embark on a Total and Comprehensive Industrial Strike (TICS) commencing at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, 10th August 2026, should the federal government fail to satisfactorily address the outstanding issues contained in this communiqué before the expiration of the stipulated timeline,” the communiqué stated.

NARD said it remained committed to dialogue but stressed that the welfare of resident doctors and the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system were non-negotiable.

The association demanded 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 (MRTF) disbursement.

It also urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to fast-track implementation of the 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 the immediate resolution of issues affecting resident doctors, alleging persistent intimidation by the hospital management and refusal to provide call-duty meals.

It warned that failure to resolve the LUTH dispute before August 10 would also trigger industrial action.

The association further condemned what it described as the persistent assaults, harassment, intimidation and violent attacks against doctors across the country, calling for urgent measures to safeguard healthcare workers.

It urged the federal government to develop and implement a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol and enact legislation criminalising assaults on healthcare workers nationwide.

NARD also expressed concern over the poor state of public health facilities, calling for the urgent rehabilitation and upgrading of hospitals, provision of modern medical equipment, functional diagnostic facilities, uninterrupted power supply and improved working conditions to enhance healthcare delivery, residency training and patient safety.

The resident doctors blamed limited access to quality healthcare on inadequate health financing, shortage of healthcare personnel and rising out-of-pocket medical expenses, urging the Federal and State Governments to increase investment in the health sector, strengthen primary healthcare and accelerate the implementation of Universal Health Coverage.

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

NARD further 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 address salary and welfare issues affecting resident doctors.

Despite expressing dissatisfaction over unresolved welfare concerns, 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 improving doctors’ welfare, remuneration, healthcare infrastructure and manpower development in their respective states.