By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over unpaid allowances, salary arrears, and worsening welfare conditions affecting medical doctors across the country, warning that failure to address its demands could trigger industrial action.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s May 2026 Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and Scientific Conference held between May 31 and June 5 at the Fabs Event Centre in Kano State, and jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim.

The meeting, which is one of the association’s statutory gatherings, featured a scientific conference themed *“Caring for the Caregivers: Mental Health and Emotional Resilience in Residency Training,”* delivered by Professor Auwal Sani Salihu of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Dawanau.

Speaking on behalf of the association, Dr. Suleiman said resident doctors are operating under increasingly difficult conditions marked by unpaid entitlements, excessive workload, and rising insecurity in healthcare facilities across the country.

He expressed concern over what he described as persistent neglect of critical welfare obligations by relevant authorities.

“We are deeply concerned about the growing cases of assault, harassment and violent attacks against doctors while discharging their professional duties. This is unacceptable and poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare system,” Suleiman said.

The association listed several unresolved financial obligations, including the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), outstanding CONMESS arrears, 19 months of professional allowance arrears, and salary and promotion arrears across various federal and state institutions.

According to NARD, repeated assurances from government authorities have not translated into concrete action, worsening frustration among medical personnel and accelerating the emigration of health workers.

“The continued delay in the payment of entitlements is not only demoralising but is directly contributing to the worsening brain drain in the health sector,” the communiqué stated.

The association also raised concerns over the welfare of house officers, citing delayed salaries, unpaid arrears, and challenges associated with internship placement and onboarding processes.

NARD further noted ongoing tensions in several tertiary health institutions, including allegations of intimidation of resident doctors in some centres and failure by hospital managements to meet basic welfare obligations such as provision of call meals.

The group also called attention to delays in the issuance of compliance letters by the Federal Character Commission, warning that the bottleneck is worsening manpower shortages in federal health institutions.

“The delay in recruitment approvals is worsening the staffing crisis and increasing pressure on already overstretched doctors,” the association said.

At the end of its deliberations, NARD demanded the immediate payment of all outstanding allowances and arrears, full implementation of previously agreed agreements, and urgent reforms to protect healthcare workers nationwide.

The association further gave the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to meet its demands or risk a breakdown of industrial harmony in the health sector.

It also commended the Governors of Kano and Osun States for what it described as commendable efforts toward improving healthcare delivery and supporting medical personnel in their respective states.

NARD reaffirmed its commitment to patient care but insisted that sustainable healthcare delivery cannot be achieved without adequate welfare, protection, and motivation of healthcare workers.

“Government must act decisively. The system is under severe strain, and doctors cannot continue to work under these conditions indefinitely,” Suleiman added.