The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has begun an indefinite nationwide strike in response to the Federal Government’s persistent failure to honour long-standing agreements, despite numerous negotiations and the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum.
In a statement released on Saturday, the association’s president, Dr Muhammad Suleiman, declared that the strike would be “total, comprehensive, and indefinite,” impacting 91 healthcare facilities across Nigeria.
Suleiman explained that the industrial action became inevitable following the government’s continued neglect of previously reached agreements, even after several meetings, discussions, and pleas from the association.
“This action has become inevitable following the government’s failure to honour its promises after several rounds of dialogue, appeals, and ultimata,” Suleiman said.
He explained that over 11,000 resident doctors would withdraw their services nationwide, disrupting operations in teaching hospitals, federal medical centres, and specialist institutions.
According to him, the association’s demands include fair remuneration, improved working conditions, payment of salary arrears, recruitment of additional doctors, and provision of essential medical infrastructure.
The association had earlier issued a 30-day ultimatum, warning that unresolved issues could cripple the country’s healthcare system. Suleiman said the government’s last-minute interventions were “insufficient and unconvincing.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has announced plans to release ₦11.995 billion within 72 hours to clear outstanding arrears, including accoutrement and other allowances owed to health workers.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Adekunle Salako, confirmed that the move reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving doctors’ welfare and preventing further industrial unrest.
According to a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Alaba Balogun, ₦21.3 billion had already been transferred to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) account, while ₦10 billion was paid in August as part of the seven months’ arrears covering the 25–35 per cent upward review of the CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures.
Salako added that ₦10.6 billion had also been paid as the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to resident doctors across the country.
He further disclosed that the Federal Government had granted special waivers to enable massive recruitment of healthcare professionals, with more than 20,000 health workers recruited in 2024 and 15,000 more approved for 2025.
To facilitate ongoing dialogue, the government appointed industrial relations expert, Professor Dafe Otobo, as a mediator between health unions and the ministries of health and labour.
However, NARD insists that the strike will continue until all 19 of its demands are met. These include immediate payment of withheld allowances, reinstatement of five dismissed doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, implementation of a humane working-hours policy, and upgrade of medical facilities nationwide.
“The strike did not come lightly. Our members are exhausted, overworked, and underpaid. A healthcare system cannot thrive when its doctors are broken and demotivated,” Suleiman said.
He urged Nigerians, civil society groups, and labour unions to support the doctors’ demands, stressing that the strike was not a battle against government but a struggle for a functional and humane health system.
“This is not a fight between resident doctors and government. It is a struggle for the survival of the Nigerian health system and the well-being of every citizen who depends on it,” he added.
