The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has issued the Federal Government a fresh 24-hour ultimatum to meet its outstanding demands, following the expiration of its earlier 10-day deadline on September 10.

The decision followed a six-hour meeting of the association’s National Executive Council, held virtually on Wednesday.

The President of NARD, Dr. Tope Osundara, said the association acknowledged the government’s promise to address their concerns but insisted on immediate action.

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 immediate 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 demanded the payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, and restoration of the recognition of the 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.

Resident doctors form the backbone of Nigeria’s public health system, providing a large share of clinical services in federal and state hospitals. Any strike action by the association often paralyses healthcare delivery, leaving patients stranded and hospitals overstretched.

Speaking with our correspondent on Thursday, Dr. Osundara said, “The Federal Government called us yesterday (Wednesday) and promised to address our concerns.

“After a six-hour deliberation, we 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 our other demands.

“If there is no payment by today (Thursday), then tomorrow (Friday), we will start the strike immediately.”

According to him, more than 2,000 resident doctors across the country are still awaiting payment of the MRTF.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Ghana has begun accepting West African nationals deported from the United States, including Nigerians, President John Dramani Mahama said on Wednesday.

According to Reuters, Mahama disclosed that a first batch of 14 deportees, made up of Nigerians, a Gambian and others, had already arrived in Accra, with the Ghanaian authorities facilitating their return to their respective countries.

“We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US, and we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable because all our fellow West Africans don’t need a visa to come to our country,” he said.

He justified the decision by saying West Africans “don’t need a visa anyway” to come to Ghana.

The arrangement comes amid Washington’s intensified deportation drive under President Donald Trump, who has pushed for removals to “third countries” as part of his hardline immigration policy.

Trump has previously overseen deportations of migrants to Eswatini, South Sudan and Rwanda despite safety concerns raised by rights groups.

Nigeria, however, has rejected similar overtures from Washington.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said in July that the Federal Government would not accept deportees from outside Nigeria, citing national security and economic concerns.

Trump hosted five West African leaders at the White House on July 9, where, according to Reuters, one of the key objectives was to persuade them to receive deportees from other countries.

They include the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed strong concern over reports that an Israeli airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeted senior members of Hamas leadership earlier this week.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government emphasized the need to respect national sovereignty and uphold international law, warning that the attack could further destabilize the Middle East.

“This incident raises profound questions about regional stability and the future of diplomatic efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the statement read.
Nigerian fashion

Nigeria commended Qatar’s long-standing role as a mediator in peace negotiations and urged all parties to avoid escalation.

“We call for maximum restraint and a renewed commitment to peaceful dialogue. Violence only deepens mistrust and prolongs suffering,” the government said.

It also extended condolences to victims of the attack and reaffirmed its commitment to international efforts aimed at de-escalation and lasting peace. Abuja pledged to continue working with the United Nations and other multilateral institutions to advance stability and uphold the rule of law in the region.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has remained tense since October 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise assault on southern Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and seizing over 200 hostages. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has since caused widespread destruction and fueled a humanitarian crisis.
Nigerian fashion

According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 62,000 people have been killed in nearly two years of fighting. Qatar has played a central role in mediation, hosting Hamas’s political leadership in Doha and serving as a key channel for negotiations.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM