The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has initiated an indefinite nationwide strike, effective from 12:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025. This industrial action is poised to severely disrupt activities across government-owned hospitals throughout the country, stemming from the federal government’s alleged failure to address a comprehensive 19-point list of demands, which the association described as its “minimum expectations.”

Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, President of NARD, announced the decision during a press briefing in Abuja. He revealed that the resolution was reached following an emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) held the previous week. Dr. Suleiman emphasized that NARD had exercised considerable restraint and patience over time, despite the government’s consistent inaction on critical welfare and payment issues that significantly impact doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Highlighting the gravity of the financial grievances, Dr. Suleiman pointed out that various allowances have been pending for periods ranging from over two years, 18 months, seven months, four months, and even as far back as 10 years. He further stated that the basic salary structure for doctors in Nigeria has not undergone a review for an alarming 16 years. According to NARD, the federal government collectively owes medical personnel an estimated ₦38 billion in accumulated allowances and arrears. Compounding these issues, numerous hospitals continue to operate under substandard conditions due to insufficient funding and inadequate staffing levels.

NARD’s comprehensive list of key demands includes: the immediate payment of outstanding 25–35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears and the 2024 accoutrement allowance. They also seek the settlement of all pending financial entitlements owed to doctors and other health workers, alongside the reinstatement of five resident doctors who were dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, with full payment of their outstanding salaries and allowances.

Further demands from the association encompass the implementation of a humane working-hours policy in alignment with international best practices, greater autonomy for hospital chief executives to facilitate prompt hiring of replacements under the one-for-one replacement policy, and the payment of specialist allowances to all eligible doctors, coupled with the correction of entry-level placements. NARD also called for the urgent conclusion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Committee’s work on the long-overdue review of CONMESS and related allowances, the enforcement of salary relativity between CONMESS and CONHESS, and the implementation of agreed pension benefits for doctors.

In a direct appeal, Dr. Suleiman urged President Bola Tinubu to personally intervene, stressing the potential for a complete collapse of the nation’s healthcare system if these issues remain unaddressed. “Mr. President, we appeal to you as the father of the nation, please intervene, listen to our plight, and help us resolve these lingering issues,” he pleaded.

Historically, NARD has frequently resorted to strikes to advocate for improved welfare, better remuneration, and conducive working conditions. Such actions have consistently paralyzed healthcare services nationwide, leaving countless patients stranded and exacerbating public health challenges.

Adding to the crisis, the Association of Resident Doctors under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) has also declared its own indefinite strike, commencing on the same day as NARD’s national action. This decision by ARD-FCTA specifically addresses unresolved welfare and administrative concerns unique to hospitals within the FCT.

In a letter dated October 30, 2025, addressed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, ARD-FCTA President Dr. George Ebong and General Secretary Dr. Agbor Affiong confirmed that their members unanimously voted to join the national strike during an emergency congress meeting on October 29. The ARD-FCTA, however, made it clear that its strike action would persist even if NARD suspended or called off its national strike, until all FCT-specific issues are fully resolved.

The specific demands of ARD-FCTA include: immediate payment of salary arrears for members employed since 2023, commencement of new recruitment processes before year-end, and the release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF). Other crucial demands involve the correction of salary irregularities, the timely release of promotion timelines, and the conversion of qualified members to consultant cadre within stipulated timeframes.

With resident doctors forming the essential backbone of Nigeria’s public healthcare workforce, these combined strike actions are anticipated to cause extensive disruption across hospitals nationwide, thereby placing immense additional strain on an already fragile and overburdened health system.