Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has acknowledged that progress has been made on some of its demands to the Federal Government, including the approval of funds for the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and the correction of omitted professional allowances, as the expiration of its 21‑day ultimatum draws near. However, the association warned that key issues relating to unpaid allowances, promotion arrears and salary arrears remain unresolved, and that its National Executive Council (NEC) would soon convene to review the government's response and decide on the next line of action.
The association had on May 31, 2026, declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government and issued a 21‑day ultimatum over unresolved welfare, remuneration, and training‑related issues affecting doctors nationwide. Among its demands were the immediate disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), payment of outstanding salary‑related arrears, the resolution of welfare concerns affecting doctors, and the accelerated implementation of previous agreements reached with the government.
In an update issued to its members on Friday, June 19, NARD said discussions on the payment of the MRTF, professional allowances and measures to protect healthcare workers from assaults had recorded some advances. The association disclosed that approval had been granted by the Minister of Finance for the transfer of funds for the 2026 MRTF, while the list of beneficiaries was being processed by the Ministry of Health. Additionally, members whose professional allowances were omitted from their May salaries had been captured in the June payroll, with May arrears expected to be paid alongside the June salary. Payment of omitted arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) was also expected to begin after the June salary had been finalised.
On the issue of attacks on healthcare workers, NARD said its leadership had met with the Department of State Services (DSS). According to the association, an anti‑assault network that would work with local branches across the country to report incidents in real time is currently being developed. The Ministry of Health had also constituted a committee to address assaults on healthcare workers, although the panel was yet to submit its report after its last scheduled meeting was disrupted by a recent fire incident at the ministry.
However, NARD added that key issues relating to unpaid allowances, promotion arrears and salary arrears remain unresolved as the expiration of its 21‑day ultimatum draws near. Discussions on the payment of the physicians’ adjustment tax (PAT), promotion arrears and salary arrears were still at the level of the Budget Office and Ministry of Finance. A crucial meeting had been scheduled for Monday to advance deliberations on the issues.
The association also said it was working with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other authorities to facilitate payment of outstanding salary arrears owed to house officers and ensure regular salary payments. A ministerial committee on locum practice and doctors' work hours had completed its assignment and submitted recommendations that would be presented to the NEC for deliberation.
Despite the ongoing engagements, NARD said industrial actions were imminent in some federal health institutions over unresolved local disputes. The affected centres are the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi‑Araba; Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo; and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile‑Ife. However, it noted that the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) had suspended its warning strike following ongoing negotiations.
The association said its NEC would soon convene an electronic meeting to assess progress made during the 21‑day window granted to the Federal Government and decide on the next line of action. The ultimatum, which took effect on June 6, 2026, centres on unresolved welfare issues including non‑disbursement of the 2026 MRTF, outstanding salary, advancement and promotion arrears, and delays in resolving professional allowance disputes. NARD had warned that it could not guarantee industrial harmony if the government failed to address its demands within the stipulated period, raising concerns over a possible disruption of healthcare services in public hospitals.
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