The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike, accusing the Federal Government of failing to honour previous agreements despite multiple dialogues and a 30-day ultimatum.
NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, confirmed the decision in a statement on Saturday, saying the industrial action was “painful but inevitable.”
“The strike has become inevitable following the repeated failure of the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour its promises and implement the agreements reached with us after several rounds of dialogue, appeals and ultimatums,” he said.
“We wish to address you at this critical time as we embark on a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike, a decision that did not come lightly, nor was it ever our desire.”
He described the association’s demands as patriotic and focused on restoring dignity to the health sector.
“Our demands are not selfish, neither are they politically motivated. They are genuine, germane, and patriotic, centred on the survival of the Nigerian health system and the well-being of every citizen who depends on it,” Suleiman stated.
He warned that the current situation, if unresolved, would further push doctors abroad and cripple the healthcare system.
“A nation’s health system can only be as strong as the hands that sustain it. If the doctors are broken, under-motivated, or forced to seek survival abroad, the patients suffer most,” he said.
NARD urged Nigerians, civil society groups, and religious and traditional leaders to pressure the government to act swiftly.
“This is not a fight between resident doctors and the government; it is a struggle for a functional, just, and humane healthcare system,” Suleiman added.
Resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory have also confirmed their participation in the strike, which affects about 11,000 doctors across 91 hospitals nationwide.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has announced plans to release ₦11.995 billion within 72 hours to offset outstanding allowances and arrears owed to doctors and other health workers.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare disclosed this in a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director and Head of Information and Public Relations.
According to the statement, the move is part of efforts to address the grievances raised by NARD and ensure stability in the sector. The announcement followed a meeting between the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, and NARD leadership.
The Ministry noted that earlier, in August 2025, the government had paid ₦10 billion covering seven months’ arrears under the 25–35% salary increase for the CONMESS and CONHESS structures. An additional ₦21.3 billion had since been moved to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for disbursement.
It added that the new ₦11.995 billion payment would cover other arrears, including accoutrement allowances (uniforms and related items).
Furthermore, ₦10.6 billion was released in September 2025 to fund the Medical Residency Training Programme (MRTP) for doctors nationwide.
The statement reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the welfare and motivation of healthcare workers, describing them as the “foundation of all health-related programmes.”
