The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has extended the 21-day ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government by four weeks.

The association warned that it might embark on an industrial action if outstanding welfare and professional demands are not fully addressed within the new timeline.

The NARD said it decided at an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on June 27, hours before the initial ultimatum it issued on June 8 expired.

In a communiqué signed by its President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, the Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and the Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim, the association said the extension would give the government more time to implement agreed resolutions and enable members to review the level of compliance at its July 2026 NEC meeting in Gombe State.

However, NARD declared that an industrial dispute currently exists between the association and the Federal Government over unresolved issues, stressing that it could not guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week window if satisfactory progress was not recorded.

The NARD’s demands include the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to eligible resident doctors nationwide within 21 days, as well as the establishment of a transparent and sustainable salary payment system for House Officers and clearance of outstanding salary arrears.

The association also demanded the immediate implementation of the recommendations issued by the Ministerial Committee on Assaults Against Healthcare Workers, saying that effective measures must be adopted to protect doctors and other healthcare workers across the country.

The association expressed concern over the ongoing crisis at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun State, alleging continued victimisation and harassment of resident doctors.

It called for an immediate resolution of the issues affecting its members.

The NARD also urged the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to provide call meals for resident doctors on duty, warning that continued refusal would attract appropriate action.

Other demands include the immediate payment of outstanding 25/35 per cent CONMESS upward review arrears owed to medical doctors, payment of 19 months’ Professional Allowance arrears, and settlement of outstanding salary and promotion arrears across affected centres.

The association further urged state governments and private tertiary health institutions to implement the payment of Professional Allowance (PAT) arrears, Specialist Allowance, the reviewed CONMESS salary structure, MRTF and other welfare entitlements owed to resident doctors.

The NARD also called for the accelerated conclusion and implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), as well as the immediate implementation of recommendations on excessive workload, prolonged call hours, casualisation of medical doctors and abusive locum appointments.

The extension followed a review of engagements between NARD and relevant government agencies, as well as the status of previous agreements.

The NARD noted that while some progress had been recorded, including efforts by the Ministerial Committee on Assaults Against Healthcare Workers and the Federal Character Commission’s interventions on employment clearance issues, several critical matters remained unresolved.

The association expressed dissatisfaction over delays in the disbursement of the 2026 MRTF, continued salary payment challenges affecting House Officers, non-payment of doctors’ allowances and concerns over welfare conditions in some health institutions.

It gave kudos to some state governments and private tertiary health institutions that have improved doctors’ welfare by promptly paying allowances, arrears, and implementing reviewed salary structures.

The association also applauded the attempts by some hospital managements to avoid providing call meals for resident doctors and raised concerns over moves by OAUTHC management to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions despite an existing circular abolishing the practice.

The E-NEC mandated its National Officers’ Committee to begin preparations for possible industrial action if the government fails to demonstrate satisfactory compliance within the extended period.