The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on the Federal Government to pay the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), as well as settle the outstanding 2023 and 2024 MRTF and arrears for the 2022 MRTF. The association also expressed its disappointment over the continued delay in the payment of arrears for the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and other salary-related issues.
This plea was made during a press briefing on Saturday, following NARD’s 2025 January National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja. The meeting was themed “Empowering Doctors with Leadership and Entrepreneurship Skills: A Panacea for Universal Health Coverage and a Brighter Healthcare System,” with a sub-theme of “Building Resilience and Strengthening Nigeria’s Healthcare System for Effective Disaster and Disease Management.”
At the briefing, NARD President Dr. Tope Osundara emphasized that while the association acknowledged the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for convening a stakeholders’ meeting to address MRTF issues, there were still significant concerns.
“The NEC is dismayed by the ongoing short-changing of our members over the last five years, as there have been no adjustments to the CONMESS basic salary and allowances, in clear breach of the 2009 collective bargaining agreement,” Osundara stated. He also noted the shortage of medical personnel in many hospitals and commended the Chief Medical Directors who have fully paid the Accouterment Allowance arrears.
The NEC also expressed appreciation to Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for ensuring the payment of outstanding salaries and allowances, as well as the distribution of MRTF and the employment of doctors in the FCT. However, the NEC observed the ongoing migration of specialized medical personnel to private teaching hospitals due to inadequate remuneration.
Dr. Osundara highlighted the NEC’s resolution for the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to expedite the 2025 MRTF payment, settle outstanding 2023 and 2024 MRTF dues, and address the 2022 MRTF arrears, in line with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s initiatives.
“The NEC also urges the Federal Government to promptly pay the arrears for the revised CONMESS and settle all other outstanding salary arrears without further delay. We demand full implementation of the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage adjustments to our salaries and allowances, along with the payment of accumulated arrears,” Osundara said.
The NEC has tasked the National Officers Committee to continue discussions with the FG, warning that if no substantial progress is made within six weeks, an emergency NEC meeting will be called to reassess the situation. Additionally, NARD called for the completion of the payment of 2023/2024 accoutrement allowance arrears by all CMDs/MDs and the timely processing of 2025 arrears.
The association also emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure continuous doctor employment and address the current brain drain.
Furthermore, NARD urged the Ministry of Health and the Chief Medical Director of Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) to resolve issues affecting resident doctors’ welfare, including unpaid salaries, salary deductions, and large-scale recruitment of resident doctors.
Finally, NARD called on state governors to prioritize the welfare of doctors in state-owned hospitals and training institutions to curb brain drain and promote industrial harmony. It also appealed to the CMDs/CEOs of privately-owned teaching hospitals to enhance welfare packages for resident doctors to prevent further emigration.
