The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has officially commenced an indefinite nationwide strike, effective 12 a.m. Saturday, November 1, 2025.
The industrial action is set to significantly disrupt services in government-owned hospitals across the country, following the federal government’s alleged failure to meet a 19-point list of demands described by the association as its “minimum expectations.”
At a press briefing in Abuja, NARD President Dr. Muhammad Suleiman stated that the strike decision was reached after a five-hour emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) last week.
Dr. Suleiman emphasized that NARD had exercised patience despite prolonged government inaction on critical welfare and payment issues affecting doctors and other healthcare personnel.
“There are allowances pending for over two years, some for 18 months, seven months, four months, and even as far back as 10 years. The basic salary of doctors in this country has not been reviewed for 16 years,” he said.
He added that the federal government owes medical personnel an estimated N38 billion in accumulated allowances and arrears, while many hospitals continue to operate under poor conditions due to inadequate funding and staffing.
Key demands by NARD include:
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Immediate payment of 25–35% CONMESS arrears and the 2024 accoutrement allowance.
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Settlement of all outstanding financial entitlements owed to doctors and healthcare workers.
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Reinstatement of five resident doctors dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, with full back pay.
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Implementation of humane working hours aligned with international standards.
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Greater autonomy for hospital chief executives to hire replacements under the one-for-one replacement policy.
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Payment of specialist allowances and correction of entry-level placements.
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Completion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Committee’s review of CONMESS and related allowances, enforcement of salary relativity between CONMESS and CONHESS, and implementation of agreed pension benefits.
Dr. Suleiman stressed that the strike would continue until the federal government meets these demands, describing the action as a necessary step to ensure doctors’ welfare and the proper functioning of the healthcare system.
