The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has embarked on a five-day nationwide warning strike, which began at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, 12 September 2025, despite assurances from the Federal Government that the industrial action would be averted.
Resident doctors — medical graduates undergoing specialist training — constitute the backbone of emergency wards and are pivotal to healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
NARD said the decision to down tools followed the expiration of a 24-hour ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to address its demands, which came after an earlier 10-day deadline lapsed on 10 September without resolution.
“Arising from the NARD E-NEC meeting held on Wednesday, 10 September 2025, which extended into the early hours of Thursday, 11 September 2025, the NEC members unanimously resolved to embark on a five-day warning strike,” the association stated.
In a message titled “Declaration of Strike Action” and signed by its Secretary-General, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, NARD confirmed the commencement of the action.
“Good morning NEC members, thank you all for your continued cooperation and understanding. As clearly stated in our earlier communique, the strike is scheduled to commence at 8:00 a.m. today (Friday).
All centre leaderships are expected to guide their members accordingly. Further updates will be communicated to NEC members in due course,” Odunbaku said.
According to a communiqué issued on 1 September and signed by NARD President Osundara, Dr. Odunbaku, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Omoha Amobi, the doctors are demanding the immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, and clearance of other long-standing salary backlogs.
Other demands include the payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates, and the issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to all deserving candidates.
They also called for the implementation of the 2024 CONMESS, resolution of welfare-related issues in Kaduna State, and intervention in the plight of resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
Government Response
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Health, Isaq Salako, had earlier expressed hope that the strike could be averted through ongoing negotiations.
“The National Association of Resident Doctors has issued an ultimatum, but I believe with the level of conversation ongoing, we are making progress,” Salako said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme during the week.
Salako identified the major sticking point as the unpaid residency training allowance, revealing that about 40 per cent of the 2025 fund remains outstanding.
“It is my hope, and that is what we are working on, that the matter will be resolved before the ultimatum expires,” he added.
The strike is expected to end on Tuesday, 16 September 2025.
