Doctors under the Association of Resident Doctors, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (ARD-UITH), on Friday began a five-day warning strike to press for better working conditions and the settlement of outstanding entitlements. The action, which aligns with a nationwide directive by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), is part of ongoing efforts to compel the Federal Government to address long-standing issues affecting the medical workforce.
Speaking in Ilorin, ARD-UITH President, Dr. Mariam Shiru, said while government officials had previously engaged the doctors in meetings and even set up a committee to look into their grievances, progress had been minimal. She explained that although two months out of seven months of outstanding arrears had been paid, disbursements had been inconsistent across hospitals. “This is not about new allowances but long-standing entitlements. While the government has indicated that funds are available, the implementation has been slow,” she stated.
Dr. Shiru further stressed that the slow response to doctors’ demands risks worsening the country’s medical brain drain, as many professionals continue to leave Nigeria in search of better conditions abroad. According to her, timely payment and improved welfare packages are essential to retaining skilled medical personnel in the country’s health system.
NARD has also raised concerns that many resident doctors have yet to receive their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, which is crucial for their professional development. In addition, five months of arrears from the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, which provides a 25 per cent to 35 per cent upward adjustment, remain unpaid, compounding the financial strain on doctors.
The ARD-UITH president reiterated that the strike is a warning action, emphasising that doctors remain committed to dialogue but will not relent until the government demonstrates firm commitment to meeting its obligations. She urged authorities to act swiftly to prevent further disruptions in healthcare delivery and to safeguard the future of Nigeria’s medical workforce.
