[5] Unfavourable government policies during the Shehu Shagari regime at the start of the Second Nigerian Republic such as the stoppage of car loans given to medical graduates and other issues bordering on salaries, call duty, structured residency programs and formalization of overseas training ensued.

The relationship between NARD and the NMA served as springboard for agitations in the early 1980s before their eventual proscription on February 22, 1985, by the General Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

[6][7][8] General Ibrahim Babangida lifted the proscription in order to allow the association participate in national discourse.

This announcement was made against a backdrop of existing displeasure in the abandonment of medical facilities and stoppage of overseas clinical attachments.

In June 2020, NARD staged a week-long strike for issues bordering on pay, inadequate facilities and a lack of personal protective equipment.

The strike action was however suspended with a 2-week ultimatum when the Nigerian government expressed commitment to resolve the issues identified.