The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), says it will begin an indefinite nationwide strike from November 1, 2025.
This was contained in a statement released by the president of NARD, Mohammad Suleiman, on Sunday following the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier given to the Federal Government over unresolved demands.
The decision was taken after a five-hour meeting of the association’s National Executive Council, NEC, on Saturday.
“The NEC has marshalled out minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, and ‘no work, no pay/no pay, no work’ resolutions needed for a successful execution of this action.
“Today, after a 5-hour Extra-Ordinary National Executive Council Meeting, the members of NEC have issued out new marching orders to us once again.
“The NEC has unanimously directed us to declare a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action to commence on Friday 31st October 2025 at 11:59 pm,” the statement said.
It would be recalled that the association had earlier issued a three-week ultimatum in July before extending the deadline by another three weeks to allow for further dialogue with stakeholders. However, it expressed disappointment that the government has yet to fulfil its promises.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, again issued a fresh 10-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and other relevant authorities, warning of an imminent nationwide strike if its outstanding demands are not addressed.
According to NARD, many resident doctors are still unpaid for their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF). It also decried the failure to settle five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, review, along with other longstanding salary arrears.
The doctors further condemned the non-payment of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance, as well as what they described as the “unjust downgrading” of membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
They also faulted the persistent delay in issuing certificates to successful candidates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, NPMCN.
On state-level issues, NARD criticised the Kaduna State Government for failing to honour agreements with members at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, despite signed Memoranda of Understanding.
It also accused the Oyo State Government of neglecting the welfare concerns of doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, where an indefinite strike is ongoing.
NARD during its recent 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM), gave the Federal Government a 30-day deadline to meet a series of outstanding welfare and policy demands affecting its members.
“Today is the 18th day of the 30-day ultimatum that NARD gave to the Federal Government to implement our demands, among which is the reinstatement of five doctors sacked at FTH Lokoja.
“NARD’s demands include the reinstatement of the sacked doctors, payment of unpaid promotion and salary arrears dating back to five years, unpaid 25 per cent and 35 per cent increment and entitlements,” Suleiman said.
