The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (Nard) is convening an emergency National Executive Council meeting on October 25, 2025, to assess the Federal Government's response to its 30-day ultimatum. With only days left before the deadline, the association warns of potential action if demands remain unmet. The virtual gathering underscores ongoing concerns over doctors' welfare and the health sector's brain drain.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (Nard) has scheduled an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting for Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 11 a.m. via Zoom. The notice, signed by Secretary General Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, stresses the importance of participation to review the government's response to the association's demands. This comes as the 30-day ultimatum, issued after Nard's 45th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Katsina State from September 21 to 26, 2025, approaches its October 30 deadline.
At the AGM, themed “Mitigating health worker migration through extra-remuneration incentives: A strategy for sustainable development,” Nard highlighted the health sector's challenges, including a 50 per cent drop in resident doctor numbers. The association demanded payment of salary arrears, promotion entitlements, and reinstatement of five dismissed doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja. Other key issues include unpaid promotion arrears, unsafe call duty schedules, poor implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (Conmess), and the casualisation of doctors in federal hospitals.
Nard also called for immediate payment of arrears from the 25–35 per cent salary review, a one-for-one replacement policy for departing doctors, inclusion of house officers in the Civil Service Scheme, full Conmess implementation, fair working hours, and specialist allowances. The group urged the Oyo State Government to address welfare issues at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, and pressed the Federal Government to prioritize medical infrastructure and pension benefits.
Nard President Dr Muhammad Suleiman emphasized adherence to NEC directives, stating, “The ultimatum hasn’t run out. Government still has time to engage us. If the NEC says continue engaging, Nard will continue engaging. If NEC says shutdown, Nard will have to shut down.” He added that doctors deserve better conditions: “I would prefer Nigerians be seen and consulted by doctors who are well-rested, well-remunerated, and properly rewarded for work done.” On its official X handle, Nard noted, “A 50 per cent drop in resident doctor numbers, yet the government still can’t pay the remaining ones a decent salary comparable to other serious African countries.”
The outcome of Saturday's meeting could determine whether public hospitals face a nationwide strike, amid ongoing dialogue with the government.