The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), an affiliate of Nigerian Medical Association is the umbrella body of the largest resident medical association in the west African sub-region with over 16,000 members. Official members of the association include all doctors ( resident doctors, medical officers and  house officers) below the rank of consultants or its equivalent ( principal medical officers) in all health institutions where there is any form residency training in Nigeria and has been registered under the Medical and Dental Practitioner's Act CAP 221 Laws of the Federation Nigeria ( 1990)

Although residency training started in Nigeria in 1966, but the association was formed in 1978. The association aims to promote the interest of and foster closer ties and relationship among members. It also considers and expresses her views on all proposed regulations, policies and legislations affecting the training of medical and dental doctors in Nigeria and other aspects of medical practice. More so, it  promotes the improvement of healthcare in Nigeria. It interacts with national and international organizations, agencies and individuals to promote the objectives of the association. The medical residency training in Nigeria is regulated by the Medical Residency Training Act 2017, an act enacted by the National Assembly and signed into law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The population of Nigeria is over 200 million. Policy decisions are made by the association's National Executive Council (NEC), which is the governing body. The Constitution of NARD is supreme, and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities, organs, branches and members of the association and, where applicable, on any other persons. The NEC has full powers to take decisions on behalf of the association in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. The website of the association is www.nardnigeria.com.ng.