The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has scheduled an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting to reassess the 30-day ultimatum it previously issued to the Federal Government.
According to a notice obtained on Tuesday and addressed to National Officers’ Committee members, Caucus Leaders, Centre Presidents, and General Secretaries, the virtual meeting is set to hold on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
The main agenda, as outlined in the notice, is to review the government’s response to the association’s outstanding demands and determine the next course of action. The notice, signed by NARD Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, emphasized the importance of full participation, stating:
“I am writing to inform you that an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, 25th October 2025. Your presence and participation are crucial in addressing the matter at hand.”
The outcome of this meeting is expected to influence whether the association will proceed with industrial action.
NARD had earlier, on September 26, issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding action on several unresolved welfare and policy issues affecting its members.
Among the key concerns raised by the association are:
- Excessive and unregulated work hours for resident doctors and medical officers, which it says endanger both medical personnel and patient safety.
- Non-payment of outstanding arrears from the 25% and 35% revised CONMESS salary structure, which should have been paid by the end of August 2025.
- The dismissal of five resident doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja — a move NARD described as unjust, especially amid rising cases of burnout and a worsening brain drain in the health sector.
- Unpaid promotion arrears for medical officers in federal tertiary hospitals.
- The delay in payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance, despite multiple assurances from the Ministry of Health.
- Persistent bureaucratic delays in upgrading doctors’ ranks after successful postgraduate examinations, resulting in delayed implementation of new salary scales and unpaid arrears.
As the 30-day deadline nears its expiration, all eyes are on the outcome of the Saturday meeting, which could determine whether the association escalates its demands through strike action.
