The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has demanded for the Federal Government’s immediate release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), as over 2,000 resident doctors nationwide await payment. The demand follows a six-hour virtual National Executive Council meeting, held as a result of the government’s failure to act after a 10-day notice which expired on September 10, 2025. With the threat of a nationwide strike looming, the doctors warn that continued delays could cripple Nigeria’s public healthcare system.

In a communiqué issued on September 1, 2025, and signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, the doctors demanded a prompt payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, and other long-standing salary backlogs.

They also urged immediate settlement of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, swift release of specialist allowances, and reinstatement of recognition for West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
In addition, they called on the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all deserving candidates, implement the 2024 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, resolve outstanding welfare issues in Kaduna State, and address the plight of resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) since then has given the Federal Government a 24-hour ultimatum to fulfill its unresolved demands, following the expiration of a 10-day notice on September 10, 2025.

Speaking with on Thursday, Dr. Osundara said the Federal Government called the Association on Wednesday and promised to address their concerns. He further stated that, after a six-hour deliberation, they decided to give the government the next 24 hours to ensure the disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund to beneficiaries, for the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to upgrade our membership certificates, and to attend to other demands.

According to him if there is no payment today(Thursday), then tomorrow (Friday) they will start the strike immediately.

PUNCH.