The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced plans to commence an indefinite nationwide strike starting November 1, 2025, following the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Nigerian government.
NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, disclosed on Saturday that the decision was reached after the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) reviewed the government’s response to their demands during an emergency virtual meeting.
“The NEC of NARD has declared total and indefinite strike action starting November 1st of 2025. As a matter of fact, the NEC said all the 19 points are our minimum demands, and there is no going back. The notice for the strike will be out maybe later today or tomorrow,” Suleiman explained.
PUNCH reports that the strike, once it begins, is expected to paralyse medical services in hospitals nationwide, as resident doctors constitute the backbone of clinical care in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
NARD had, on September 26, given the Federal Government one month to address lingering issues affecting the welfare and training of resident doctors and medical officers across the country.
Among the grievances listed by the association are excessive and unregulated work hours, nonpayment of outstanding arrears from the 25 and 35 percent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and the unjust dismissal of five resident doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.
The association also expressed frustration over the non-payment of promotion arrears to medical officers in various federal tertiary hospitals, as well as the failure of the government to pay the 2024 accoutrement allowance despite repeated assurances from the Ministry of Health.
NARD further cited bureaucratic delays in upgrading resident doctors’ ranks following the completion of postgraduate medical examinations, leading to non-payment of new salary scales and accumulated arrears.
The doctors also condemned their exclusion from the specialist allowance, despite their critical role in providing specialist-level care to patients across the country.
Similarly, the association faulted the exclusion of medical and dental house officers from the civil service scheme — a policy it said denies them rightful salaries, professional recognition, and career progression.
NARD also decried the downgrading of newly employed resident doctors from CONMESS three Step three to CONMESS two Step two, resulting in reduced earnings and unpaid salary arrears in several federal hospitals.
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