The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a fresh 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate resolution of outstanding welfare issues, salary structure reviews, and working conditions, or face a complete shutdown of medical services across public health institutions nationwide.
​The resolution was reached on Sunday, September 27, 2026, during the communique presentation at the close of the association’s 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Calabar, Cross River State.
​Addressing newsmen at the venue, newly elected NARD National President Dr. Ogar Emmanuel Idoko declared that the association’s patience had worn thin due to the prolonged failure of government authorities to implement previously signed agreements and address the severe manpower drain in the sector.
​”The prolonged delay in implementing agreements reached with the Federal Government has become entirely unacceptable,” Dr. Idoko stated while reading the AGM resolutions.
“The current framework for doctors’ compensation no longer reflects prevailing economic realities. Coupled with severe brain drain, our doctors are subjected to excessive, uncompensated workloads that endanger both their health and patient safety.”
NARD demands urgent conclusion and implementation of the revised remuneration and salary structure to match current economic conditions.
They also demand Immediate compensation for excess workload resulting from widespread doctor migration (‘Japa’ syndrome), alongside standardized templates to compensate personnel handling extra duties.
​NARD emphasised that while members remain open to constructive dialogue, the 14-day clock is officially ticking.
Should the two-week window expire without verifiable progress from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the leadership warned it will convene an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to activate a total, indefinite industrial action.
