NARD Declares Total, Indefinite Nationwide Strike
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike set to begin at midnight on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
The announcement was made on Friday by Dr. Muhammad Usman Suleiman, NARD’s President, following the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
According to Suleiman, the decision became inevitable after years of unfulfilled promises and what he described as the federal government’s persistent failure to meet the legitimate demands of resident doctors across the country.
“In light of the government’s unresponsiveness, the NEC has resolved that all resident doctors in federal and state tertiary health institutions nationwide should withdraw their services completely and indefinitely,” Suleiman stated.
He emphasized that the strike would continue “until both the federal and affected state governments demonstrate genuine commitment to addressing our demands.”
First Total Strike in Three Years
The NARD president noted that this marks the first total strike action in three years, stressing that the association had exhausted all avenues for dialogue with the administration of President Bola Tinubu before reaching this point.
“We have been dialoguing for three years, trying to get the government to fulfill agreed terms,” Suleiman said. “All we are asking for are our due salaries and allowances — nothing new. These are things already agreed upon, yet the government has failed to honor them.”
He lamented that while government officials continue to receive their own entitlements promptly, doctors on the frontline remain unpaid and undervalued, despite their critical role in sustaining Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Resident Doctors Decry Government Neglect
Dr. Suleiman described the federal government’s attitude toward healthcare workers as “deeply disappointing,” warning that the system is at risk of total collapse if urgent action is not taken.
“Mr. President, you are the father of the nation. We appeal to you to intervene and resolve this issue before it leads to the total breakdown of health services across the country,” he pleaded.
He also called for unity and total compliance among members, urging resident doctors in all federal and state tertiary institutions to stand firm and withdraw their services completely until their demands are met.
Demands of the Resident Doctors
NARD’s demands, which have been pending for years, include:
Immediate payment of outstanding salaries and allowances.
Implementation of reviewed hazard allowances.
Payment of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
Upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
Improved funding and working conditions in federal and state tertiary hospitals.
The association maintains that these demands are not new but were part of agreements already reached with the federal government.
Looming Healthcare Crisis
The indefinite strike is expected to paralyze healthcare services across the country, as resident doctors make up a large portion of Nigeria’s hospital workforce.
Public hospitals may soon face severe disruptions, including halted surgeries, delayed medical consultations, and the closure of critical care units.
Health experts have warned that unless the federal government intervenes swiftly, the strike could worsen Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare system, which is still struggling with doctor shortages and underfunded infrastructure.
Government Yet to Respond
As of press time, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has not issued any official response to the strike declaration.
This silence, according to observers, reinforces the doctors’ frustration and may signal yet another prolonged standoff between the government and healthcare professionals.
The Bigger Picture
The latest strike highlights the recurring labour crisis in Nigeria’s health sector — one marked by poor remuneration, brain drain, and chronic underinvestment.
Over the past decade, the country has witnessed multiple waves of doctor migration, as medical professionals seek better pay and working conditions abroad.
If unresolved, this latest strike could further erode public trust in the healthcare system and deepen the crisis of manpower in Nigeria’s hospitals.
A Call for Leadership
The NARD President’s appeal to President Tinubu underscores the urgency of the moment.
“We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for what is due to us — what has already been agreed upon,” Dr. Suleiman said. “The government must act now, not only for doctors but for the millions of Nigerians who depend on us for care.”
