The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has scheduled an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting for Saturday, October 25, 2025, to review its ongoing 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government. The virtual meeting, set for 11 a.m., aims to assess the government's response to NARD’s outstanding welfare and policy demands and determine the next course of action.
NARD's ultimatum, issued on September 26, calls for urgent attention to issues including the excessive and unregulated work hours of resident doctors, non-payment of arrears related to salary scale adjustments, promotion arrears, and allowances owed to medical officers across federal hospitals. The association has also highlighted the dismissal of resident doctors amid widespread burnout and the ongoing exodus of doctors abroad.
In a recent statement on its official social media platform, NARD emphasized the drastic reduction in resident doctors available in Nigeria's health facilities, despite surging population demands. President Dr. Muhammad Suleiman warned that unless the government addresses these critical concerns, further industrial action may ensue following the NEC meeting’s directives.
Dr. Suleiman called attention to the unsustainable workload doctors currently face, with some forced to undertake 22 to 31 consecutive days of call duty, risking their mental and physical health as well as patient safety. The association insists that no doctor should be compelled to work beyond 24 hours of call continuously.
The outcome of the Saturday meeting is poised to influence whether NARD proceeds with strikes or continues negotiations, underscoring the urgency and gravity of Nigeria’s healthcare crisis as resident doctors demand improved working conditions and remuneration fairness.