The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced plans to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike beginning November 1, 2025, following the expiration of its 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government.
NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, confirmed the development in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Saturday, noting that the decision was reached during an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC).
Suleiman said the NEC reviewed the government’s response to the doctors’ long-standing demands and found it unsatisfactory.
“The NEC of NARD has declared a total and indefinite strike action starting November 1st, 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,” he stated.
The impending strike is expected to severely affect medical services nationwide, as resident doctors constitute the majority of the clinical workforce in federal and state hospitals.
NARD had on September 26 issued a one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government to address multiple unresolved issues concerning the welfare, training, and remuneration of resident doctors and medical officers across Nigeria.
Among their grievances are:
- Unpaid arrears from the 25% and 35% upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which should have been cleared by August 2025.
- Dismissal of five resident doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, which the association described as unjust and insensitive.
- Non-payment of promotion arrears and the 2024 accoutrement allowance, despite repeated promises by the Ministry of Health.
- Bureaucratic delays in upgrading doctors’ ranks after postgraduate medical examinations, resulting in salary distortions and unpaid arrears.
- Exclusion of resident doctors from the specialist allowance, even though they deliver specialist-level clinical services in tertiary hospitals.
- Exclusion of medical and dental house officers from the civil service scheme, which has led to irregular salary payments and denial of full benefits.
- Downgrading of newly employed resident doctors from CONMESS 3 Step 3 to CONMESS 2 Step 2, causing significant salary reductions.
The association also expressed concern over excessive and unregulated work hours endured by resident doctors, warning that the situation poses risks to both healthcare workers and patients.
With the strike set to commence November 1, Nigerians may face major disruptions in healthcare delivery unless urgent steps are taken by the government to meet the doctors’ demands.