The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its warning strike and directed members to return to work, while giving the Federal Government an additional two-week ultimatum to meet its outstanding demands.
The strike, which began on Friday, September 12, 2025, was initially declared as a five-day warning action but was called off on Saturday night after just two days. The suspension followed assurances from the Federal Government and the commencement of payments to members previously excluded from the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.
Confirming the development in a WhatsApp message on Saturday, NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, explained that the move was a gesture of goodwill. “Some of our demands have been met. The government has promised to look into other issues. Strike suspended; resumption of work tomorrow (today). We did this as a sign of goodwill and to assist Nigerians who are seeking healthcare in our various facilities,” he said.
The association had earlier issued several ultimatums to the government before embarking on the strike: a 21-day notice in July, later extended by 10 days, which expired on September 10, followed by a final 24-hour ultimatum that led to the walkout.
In a communiqué released after an Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday, NARD said the strike suspension was decided “after due deliberations, considering the plight of Nigerians who are grappling with health issues under the present harsh economy.” The statement, signed by Osundara, General Secretary Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Omoha Amobi, said work would resume at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2025.
NARD’s key demands include: immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund; settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 percent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review; payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears; prompt disbursement of specialist allowances; and the implementation of the 2024 CONMESS. The association also wants the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to restore recognition of West African postgraduate membership certificates, while urging the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all deserving candidates.
Beyond federal-level issues, NARD highlighted welfare concerns in some states. It particularly called on the Oyo State Government to comply with a 15-day ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association’s Oyo State branch to resolve lingering issues affecting doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso. Failure to comply, it warned, would trigger an indefinite solidarity strike by its members in the state. Similarly, welfare grievances in Kaduna State and other state-owned tertiary hospitals remain unresolved, and members in those facilities have been empowered to continue their industrial actions until their governments demonstrate genuine commitment.
The two-day strike had significantly disrupted services in public hospitals nationwide. Consultants and other health professionals were left to handle heavy caseloads, resulting in overstretched services and long delays for patients seeking care.
While suspending the strike, NARD emphasized that the next two weeks will be crucial. The association stressed that it expects full implementation of all pending demands within the window, even as it reaffirmed its commitment to engaging constructively with all levels of government to improve healthcare delivery for Nigerians.
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