The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide warning strike just two days after it began, following assurances from the federal government that it would address the doctors’ key demands.
The strike, which started on Friday morning, was called off on Saturday night after an extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. Members have been directed to return to work on Sunday.
NARD President, Tope Osundara, confirmed the suspension to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview, saying the decision was taken to give the federal government a two-week window to fully implement its commitments.
“The suspension was to give the government a two-week window to fully implement its demands,” Mr Osundara said, adding that while negotiations would continue, unresolved issues could reignite tensions.
The strike had severely disrupted operations in public tertiary hospitals across Nigeria, where resident doctors constitute the majority of the medical workforce. Consultants and other health workers had been left to manage heavy patient loads, causing delays and straining hospital services.
NARD had embarked on the strike to demand the immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review.
Other demands included payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, restoration of recognition for West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, and issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to all qualified candidates.
The doctors also urged the government to implement the 2024 CONMESS, address welfare issues in Kaduna State, and resolve challenges faced by resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso.
In a statement released after the NEC meeting, NARD said the decision to suspend the strike followed “the commitment of the federal government to address the issues outlined in our strike communique, as well as the commencement of payment of the 2025 MRTF to members who were previously owed.”
It added that the decision was also guided by concern for Nigerians facing health challenges amid the country’s harsh economic conditions.
The association urged the Oyo State Government to comply with the 15-day ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch, to resolve outstanding issues at LAUTECH, warning that failure to do so could trigger an indefinite solidarity strike in the state.
NARD also called on state governments to urgently address welfare challenges affecting resident doctors, noting that members in state-owned tertiary hospitals would remain on strike until their respective governments show genuine commitment to resolving the issues.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to working with all levels of government to ensure a “healthy Nigeria for all.”