Hussaini Ibrahim 
KANO, Nigeria – The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has launched a five-day nationwide warning strike over unpaid allowances, salary arrears, and unresolved welfare issues, paralysing hospitals across the country.
The association confirmed the action after its ultimatum to the Federal Government expired on Thursday, September 11, accusing officials of ignoring repeated deadlines.
Resident doctors, who provide the bulk of clinical services in federal and state hospitals, said the strike is a last resort.
“This industrial action is scheduled to commence at 8:00 am today,” NARD Secretary-General, Dr Oluwasola Odunbaku, declared in a statement. “All centre leadership must guide their members accordingly. Further updates will be communicated to NEC members.”
Among their grievances are the delayed disbursement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, unpaid five-month arrears from the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and outstanding specialist and hazard allowances.
The decision followed a six-hour virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting, after the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued in July and later extended by 10 days.
NARD said it granted the government a final 24-hour grace period, which also elapsed without response. “Despite repeated extensions, the government has failed to address these critical welfare issues, leaving us with no choice but to proceed.”
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Mirian Gom 
