THE Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike following the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government.
NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, announced the development in a statement released on the association’s official X account yesterday, lamenting that the government’s repeated failure to fulfil its promises had left doctors with no other choice.
According to him, the strike was a painful but necessary step after several rounds of dialogue, appeals, and ultimatums failed to yield concrete action.
“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,” Suleiman said.
“We are fully aware of the pains and inconveniences that accompany any disruption in healthcare services, and we deeply regret the situation.”
He emphasised that the association’s demands were not politically driven but rooted in the survival of Nigeria’s health system and the welfare of both medical professionals and patients.
“Our demands are not selfish, nor 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 decried the poor working conditions of doctors, describing them as overworked, underpaid, and mentally drained, a situation that, he warned, threatens the quality of care delivered to patients.
“A resident doctor who is overworked, underpaid, and mentally exhausted cannot offer optimal care to the patient who needs them most,” he said.
The association’s key demands include fair remuneration, payment of arrears, improved working conditions, adequate staffing, and the provision of essential medical infrastructure.
“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 added.
“This is why we have taken this painful stand to secure the future of Nigerian healthcare for every man, woman, and child who deserves quality care here at home.”
Suleiman called on Nigerians to support the doctors’ cause, urging civil society groups, labour unions, and religious and traditional leaders to pressure the government into meeting their demands.
“This is not a fight between resident doctors and the government; it is a struggle for a functional, just, and humane healthcare system,” he said.
“Together, we can rebuild a system that values both the carer and the cared-for. We appeal to all Nigerians to weigh in and urge the government to act urgently so hospitals can reopen and doctors can return to their duty posts.”
Earlier, the Association of Resident Doctors in Abuja had declared support for NARD’s strike, citing unfulfilled promises by the Federal Capital Territory Administration on their own peculiar challenges.
NARD had last week announced plans to commence the strike on Saturday, November 1, 2025, following unmet demands despite repeated warnings.
…FG Pledges To Meet Demands In 72 hours
THE Federal Government has said it will release about N11.995 billion within 72 hours for the payment of outstanding arrears, including accoutrement allowance, to doctors and other health workers across the country.
Deputy Director and Head of the Information and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Alaba Balogun, made this disclosure in a statement yesterday.
The Ministry said that the move is part of ongoing efforts to resolve welfare concerns raised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), and other unions and to reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to industrial peace and reform in the health sector.
According to the statement, the assurance was reiterated during a high-level meeting led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, between the top management of the ministry and the leadership of NARD, following the association’s recent agitations over welfare and professional concerns.
This is coming after a nationwide strike that began yesterday, involving about 11,000 resident doctors across 91 healthcare facilities.
Recall that the striking doctors are protesting unpaid arrears, delays in allowances, and other welfare-related issues despite earlier assurances from the government.
The President of NARD, Dr Muhammad Suleiman, had said the Federal Government owes doctors and other health workers across the country an estimated N38 billion in accumulated allowances. Meanwhile, the statement noted that the government remains committed to ensuring that the welfare, motivation, and stability of the nation’s health workforce serve as the foundation of all health policies and programmes.
“In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare commenced the payment of seven months’ arrears of the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure to all categories of health workers, with N10bn paid in August 2025.
“Following the approval of President Bola Tinubu for these arrears owed to health workers, including members of NARD, to be paid expeditiously, as of Thursday, October 30, another sum of N21.3bn has been moved to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System account, and payment has commenced.
“In addition, the sum of N11.995bn is being processed for release within 72 hours to pay other arrears, including accoutrement allowance.
“All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in accordance with the salary structure in the health sector.
“Additionally, the Federal Government has released N10.6bn as of September 2025 as full payment for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, paid exclusively to resident doctors nationwide,” the statement said.
