A looming health crisis threatens Nigeria as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) signals plans to commence an industrial strike if the Federal Government fails to address their persistent demands. Sources revealed on Monday that the association is set to hold a critical congress meeting today, July 1, 2025, where the final decision on their next course of action will be determined.
The association had earlier, on May 31, issued a communiqué at the conclusion of their Ordinary General Meeting, mandating the National Officers’ Committee to engage relevant government stakeholders within a four-week timeframe to ensure the implementation of their demands. This deadline coincides with today’s congress meeting, and should the government fail to make meaningful progress, NARD is poised to initiate a nationwide strike.
Among the key demands are the full payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, the introduction of a specialist allowance for doctors, and the settlement of arrears linked to the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS). Additionally, the doctors seek the overdue consequential salary adjustment to align with the new national minimum wage, which has remained unaddressed for over 16 years.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, NARD President Dr. Tope Osundara stressed that while the association will convene a crucial meeting, the likelihood of strike action remains high unless otherwise resolved. “First on our agenda is the Medical Residency Training Fund for 2025, which remains unpaid. Secondly, we are pushing for a specialist allowance because many of our members provide specialist care without appropriate compensation. Thirdly, the seven-month arrears related to the 25–35 per cent CONMESS must be paid. We also demand a proper adjustment of our salary scale to reflect the new national minimum wage, which the government has neglected for the past 16 years,” he said.
Dr. Osundara further highlighted that these issues are neither new nor unfamiliar to government officials, having been raised repeatedly. He lamented the government’s persistent neglect of healthcare workers’ welfare, which he identified as a significant factor driving the ongoing brain drain in Nigeria’s health sector. “Doctors are simply demanding what is fair and standard, yet their calls have been consistently ignored,” he added.
As the clock ticks towards the congress meeting, the nation watches anxiously, aware that failure to resolve these critical issues could trigger a strike that would exacerbate the already fragile healthcare system and endanger lives across the country.
