The Nigerian healthcare system faces a severe disruption as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) commenced a total, comprehensive, and indefinite nationwide strike at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025. The industrial action, which began on Saturday, November 1, 2025, follows the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over what the association describes as unresolved welfare and policy issues.
The strike is anticipated to critically impact public healthcare delivery, given that resident doctors constitute a substantial portion of the clinical workforce in government-owned hospitals across the nation. NARD’s demands center on longstanding grievances, including nonpayment of outstanding arrears from the 25% and 35% CONMESS salary review, excessive and unregulated work hours, nonpayment of promotion arrears, the 2024 accoutrement allowance, and the unjust dismissal of five resident doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.
In a statement addressing the action, the NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, affirmed the union’s readiness for a prolonged industrial action. “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,” he stated, emphasising the National Executive Council’s directive for full compliance across all medical centres.
Dr. Suleiman further escalated the rhetoric against those he believes are obstructing progress. He accused certain government and non-government actors of pursuing “evil and exploitative plans” against resident doctors, warning that the union would “collectively resist” such actions.
Meanwhile, the association made a direct appeal to the nation’s leadership regarding their core motivations. In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, NARD clarified its position, stating: “We are not politicians. We are doctors; men and women devoted to saving lives, working long hours in often harsh and under-resourced conditions. Our appeal is simple and sincere: we seek not luxuries, but the basic salaries, allowances, and welfare packages that have already been approved and promised by government.” The union stressed that continued neglect threatens the very foundation of the country’s health system, which they warn is already on the verge of collapse.
