The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors on Thursday threatened to embark on a nationwide total and comprehensive industrial strike from 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, if the Federal Government fails to address outstanding welfare issues affecting its members, including unpaid salary arrears, allowances and poor working conditions.
The warning was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s July National Executive Council meeting held in Gombe from July 26 to 31.
The communiqué, signed by NARD President, Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman, and Secretary, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, said the council was dissatisfied with the pace of implementation of agreements previously reached with the Federal Government.
“The NEC resolved to embark on a Total and Comprehensive Industrial Strike (TICS) commencing at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, 10th August 2026, should the Federal Government fail to satisfactorily address the outstanding issues contained in this communiqué before the expiration of the stipulated timeline,” the communique partly stated.
It added, “The NEC reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement and dialogue but reiterated that the welfare of resident doctors and the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system remain non-negotiable.”
Among its demands, NARD called for the immediate payment of outstanding 25/35 per cent CONMESS upward review arrears, the settlement of 19 months’ Professional Allowance arrears, payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears, and inclusion of all eligible resident doctors omitted from the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund disbursement.
The association also urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to fast-track the implementation of recommendations of the ministerial committee on excessive workload, prolonged call duty hours, casualisation of doctors and abuse of locum appointments.
On the lingering crisis at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, NARD demanded an immediate resolution, alleging persistent intimidation of resident doctors by the hospital management and refusal to provide call-duty meals.
It warned, “Failure to resolve these issues before 10th August 2026 would leave the Association with no option but to commence industrial action.”
Beyond the strike notice, the association condemned what it described as the growing attacks on healthcare workers across the country.
“The NEC strongly condemned the persistent assaults, harassment, intimidation, and violent attacks against doctors and demanded immediate and concrete measures to curb this menace.”
It called for the development and implementation of a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol and urged the government to initiate legislation criminalising assaults on healthcare workers nationwide.
NARD also expressed concern over the poor state of public health facilities.
“The NEC demands the urgent rehabilitation, upgrading, and equitable distribution of healthcare infrastructure across public health institutions nationwide, including the provision of modern medical equipment, functional diagnostic facilities, uninterrupted power supply, and an enabling working environment to improve healthcare delivery, residency training, and patient safety,” it stated.
The association further lamented limited access to quality healthcare for many Nigerians, blaming the situation on inadequate health financing, shortage of healthcare personnel and rising out-of-pocket medical expenses.
It therefore urged the Federal and State Governments to increase investment in the health sector.
“The NEC demands that the Federal and State Governments take immediate and coordinated steps to expand access to quality healthcare services for all Nigerians through increased investment in the health sector, improved health financing, strengthened primary healthcare, accelerated implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and the recruitment and retention of adequate healthcare personnel,” the communiqué added.
The resident doctors also appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration to implement the Professional Allowance Table, correct doctors’ entry level, settle outstanding CONMESS review arrears and other allowances, while urging the Kaduna State Government to fully implement the revised Professional Allowance Table from August 2026.
It equally called on the management of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri; Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi; Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex; and University of Benin Teaching Hospital to urgently resolve salary and welfare issues affecting resident doctors.
While expressing dissatisfaction with unresolved welfare concerns, NARD commended the Federal Government for the successful disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund to eligible beneficiaries and praised the governors of Osun, Kaduna, Oyo, Rivers and Plateau states for improving doctors’ welfare, remuneration, infrastructure and manpower development in their respective states.