The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has raised the alarm over what it described as a national emergency in the country’s health sector, calling on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and rescue the system from total collapse.
The association expressed grave concern over the deteriorating state of healthcare delivery in Nigeria, noting that the situation has become both a national emergency and a matter of national security.
In a passionate open letter to the President, dated October 27, 2025, and signed by its National President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, NARD said it was compelled to reach out directly to Tinubu after discovering that some officials had falsely informed him that all issues with resident doctors had been resolved. The group stressed that the claim was far from the truth, as thousands of doctors continue to work under difficult conditions without fair compensation, adequate facilities, or basic protective equipment.
“We write to you today with deep concern and a profound sense of duty to draw your urgent attention to the worsening state of Nigeria’s health sector,” the letter read. “Our healthcare system, Sir, is on the verge of collapse, a situation that has now assumed the dimensions of a national emergency and a matter of national security.”
The association highlighted several unresolved issues, including the non-payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund, which was designed to support doctors in specialist training and professional development. They also demanded the immediate release of salary arrears dating as far back as 2014, the full implementation of the new hazard allowance, and a review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to reflect current economic realities.
NARD further urged the government to clear all skipped arrears, make consequential salary adjustments, replace doctors who have left the system, and ensure that the Medical Residency Training Act is implemented across all states. The group also demanded the payment of withheld salaries of its members, warning that the failure to address these pressing issues could lead to a total breakdown in the country’s health system.
The doctors appealed to President Tinubu to personally intervene in the matter, stating that such an action would not only restore confidence among medical professionals but also help rebuild the country’s fragile healthcare system. “We believe your timely attention to these matters will demonstrate your commitment to the well-being of Nigerians and the future of our health institutions,” NARD added.