The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting to review the 30-day ultimatum it earlier issued to the Federal Government over unresolved welfare and policy issues.
According to a notice obtained on Tuesday, the virtual meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025. It is expected to determine whether the association will embark on further industrial action if the government fails to meet its demands.
The notice, signed by NARD’s Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, stated that the meeting will bring together National Officers, Caucus Leaders, Centre Presidents, and General Secretaries to assess the government’s response to the doctors’ grievances. “Your presence and participation are crucial in addressing the matter at hand,” the statement read.
NARD had on September 26 given the Federal Government a 30-day deadline to address several outstanding issues affecting its members, including poor welfare conditions, non-payment of salary arrears, and policy inconsistencies. The association lamented that resident doctors and medical officers continue to endure excessive and unregulated work hours, posing risks to both their health and patient safety.
Among the key demands are the settlement of the 25% and 35% CONMESS arrears, payment of promotion arrears, and release of the 2024 accoutrement allowance. NARD also condemned the dismissal of five resident doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, describing it as unfair and demoralising amid ongoing mass migration of medical personnel abroad.
The association further criticised bureaucratic delays in upgrading resident doctors’ ranks, the exclusion of house officers from the civil service scheme, and the downgrading of newly employed doctors’ salary grades.
It also decried the government’s failure to implement the one-for-one replacement policy for exiting doctors, worsening staff shortages and burnout. Additionally, NARD faulted the creation of consultant cadres for non-medical professionals, which it said undermines clinical standards.
The outcome of Saturday’s E-NEC meeting is expected to shape the association’s next line of action as doctors continue to demand improved welfare, fair remuneration, and better working conditions across Nigeria’s public hospitals.
