Nigeria’s resident doctors have handed the federal government a final 24-hour ultimatum, warning that failure to act will throw hospitals into crisis.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) set a 10-day deadline for the government to meet their demands, but that ultimatum expired on Wednesday night.
When it did, officials from the Ministries of Labour and Health rushed into a meeting with the doctors and promised to address the concerns.
Afterwards, NARD leaders held a tense six-hour emergency session.
Eventually, they resolved to extend the deadline by one day.
Unmet Demands Pile Up
“The government promised action, and we are watching closely,” said NARD president, Zenith Osundare.
“This is the last window.
By tomorrow, we expect them to release the Medical Residency Training Fund, correct the downgraded certificates, and meet our other demands.”
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The doctors continue to press for payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
They also demand settlement of five months’ arrears from the revised salary structure and payment of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.
In addition, they accuse the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria of downgrading certificates from the West African medical colleges.
They also fault the National Postgraduate Medical College for delaying certificates for successful candidates.
Tensions Spread To States
At the state level, tensions remain high.
In Kaduna, doctors insist the government has ignored agreements at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital.
Meanwhile, in Oyo, doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital continue an indefinite strike over welfare concerns.
Now, with only hours left, patients across Nigeria wait anxiously as government scrambles to prevent a nationwide shutdown of hospital services.
