Breaking: Resident Doctors Give FG Ultimatum, Threaten Nationwide Strike In Four Weeks

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, stating that it would resume a total, indefinite, and nationwide strike if its agreed-upon demands are not fully met within four weeks.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The announcement was contained in a communique released at the conclusion of NARD’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, signed by President Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim.

The association had suspended its nationwide strike just two days earlier, on Saturday, after 29 days of industrial action, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government. The MoU outlined a commitment by the government to meet NARD’s demands within a four-week period, now serving as the ultimatum’s deadline.

According to the communique: “The strike is suspended for four weeks to allow monitoring of implementation. Failure to fully implement the agreements will result in the resumption of a total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike.”

During the NEC meeting, the association reviewed the progress of various agreements, noting that while some actions have commenced, full implementation must be achieved by the deadline.

The NEC also highlighted key unresolved issues that must be addressed immediately:

• Full reinstatement of the five disengaged FTH Lokoja doctors within two weeks.

• Payment of arrears, including CONMESS, accoutrements, specialist allowances, promotions, and outstanding salaries for affected hospitals, to be completed within one month.

• Resumption and timely completion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) exercise.

• Immediate implementation of all remaining agreements from previous conciliatory meetings.

NARD stressed that the four-week suspension is strictly for monitoring purposes, warning that non-compliance will trigger a nationwide, indefinite, and comprehensive strike. The association also directed State Teaching Hospitals and Federal Health Institutions with unresolved local issues to continue industrial action until genuine commitments are fulfilled.