In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria's healthcare sector, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) officially commenced an indefinite nationwide strike at exactly 12:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025. This industrial action, which began today, is poised to bring operations in government-owned hospitals across the country to a grinding halt, severely disrupting medical services for millions of Nigerians who rely on public healthcare facilities.
The strike stems directly from what NARD describes as the federal government's persistent failure to address a comprehensive 19-point list of demands. These demands, outlined by the association as their "minimum expectations," encompass a wide range of long-standing grievances related to welfare, remuneration, working conditions, and professional rights. Despite numerous appeals, dialogues, and deadlines, the government has allegedly shown little progress, prompting NARD to take this drastic step after exhausting all avenues for peaceful resolution.
The decision to strike was formalized during a marathon five-hour emergency meeting of NARD's National Executive Council (NEC), held last week in Abuja. At a subsequent press conference in the nation's capital, NARD President Dr. Muhammad Suleiman addressed journalists, explaining the rationale behind the action. He emphasized that the association had demonstrated remarkable restraint and patience over the years, even as critical issues affecting doctors and other healthcare workers remained unresolved. "We have waited, we have engaged, we have pleaded, but the government's inaction has left us with no choice," Dr. Suleiman stated, his tone reflecting the frustration shared by thousands of resident doctors nationwide.
One of the most glaring issues highlighted by Dr. Suleiman is the accumulation of unpaid allowances spanning various periods—some dating back over two years, others 18 months, seven months, four months, and astonishingly, even up to 10 years. He pointed out that the basic salary structure for doctors in Nigeria has remained stagnant for an unacceptable 16 years, failing to keep pace with inflation, economic hardships, and the rising cost of living. This lack of salary review has exacerbated financial strain on medical professionals who often work under immense pressure.
Financially, the federal government is said to owe medical personnel a staggering estimated N38 billion in accumulated allowances and arrears. This figure underscores the depth of the crisis, as these funds are essential for the sustenance of doctors and their families. Beyond payments, several hospitals continue to function in deplorable conditions due to chronic underfunding and severe staffing shortages. Equipment is outdated or non-functional, infrastructure is crumbling, and the workload on existing staff is unsustainable, leading to burnout and compromised patient care.
NARD's 19-point demands are detailed and multifaceted, addressing both immediate financial relief and systemic reforms. At the forefront is the call for the immediate payment of outstanding 25–35% arrears under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), along with the 2024 accoutrement allowance, which covers uniforms and related professional attire. The association also demands the full settlement of all pending financial entitlements owed not just to doctors but to other health workers, ensuring parity across the board.
A particularly poignant demand involves the reinstatement of five resident doctors who were dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lokoja. NARD insists that these doctors be immediately reinstated with full payment of their outstanding salaries and allowances, viewing their dismissal as unjust and a violation of labor rights.
On the operational front, NARD is pushing for the implementation of a humane working-hours policy aligned with international best practices. Resident doctors often endure grueling shifts exceeding 72 hours without adequate rest, which not only endangers their health but also increases the risk of medical errors. The association seeks greater autonomy for hospital chief executives to hire replacements under a one-for-one replacement policy, allowing departing staff to be promptly replaced to maintain service levels without overburdening those remaining.
Additionally, NARD demands the payment of specialist allowances to all qualifying doctors and the correction of anomalies in entry-level placements, ensuring that newly employed doctors are placed appropriately on the salary scale from day one. This would rectify years of discrepancies that have shortchanged many professionals.
The association has also called for the urgent completion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Committee's work on the long-overdue review of CONMESS and its related allowances. This review is crucial for updating the salary structure to reflect current economic realities and professional demands. Enforcement of salary relativity between CONMESS (for medical and dental officers) and CONHESS (for other health workers) is another key point, aimed at preventing disparities that breed resentment within the healthcare team.
Finally, NARD insists on the implementation of agreed pension benefits for doctors, securing their future after years of dedicated service. These pension issues have been a recurring thorn, with many retired doctors struggling due to unpaid or inadequate benefits.
The implications of this strike are profound and far-reaching. Government hospitals, which serve as the backbone of healthcare for the majority of Nigerians—especially in rural and underserved areas—will see emergency services scaled back to skeletal levels, with only life-threatening cases potentially attended to. Elective surgeries, routine check-ups, outpatient consultations, and specialized treatments will be postponed indefinitely, leading to a backlog that could take months to clear even after resolution.
Patients in critical condition may be forced to seek alternatives in private facilities, which are often unaffordable for the average citizen, or worse, go without care altogether. This could result in increased morbidity and mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses. The strike also highlights broader systemic failures in Nigeria's health sector, including underinvestment, corruption in fund allocation, and a lack of political will to prioritize healthcare workers' welfare.
NARD's action is not isolated; it echoes previous strikes by the association and other health unions, such as the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), which have similarly protested unpaid entitlements and poor conditions. However, this indefinite strike signals a breaking point, with doctors vowing to remain off duty until tangible progress is made.
In response, the federal government has yet to issue an official statement as of the strike's commencement, but sources within the Ministry of Health indicate urgent meetings are underway. Past patterns suggest negotiations may resume, possibly involving the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) or other mediators. Yet, with N38 billion in arrears and a 19-point agenda, resolution will require significant concessions and funding commitments.
As the strike unfolds, public sympathy is divided. Many Nigerians acknowledge the validity of the doctors' grievances, recognizing their role as frontline heroes, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Others express frustration over the disruption to essential services, urging both parties to prioritize dialogue.
Dr. Suleiman's closing remarks at the press conference encapsulated the sentiment: "This is not just about money; it's about dignity, respect, and the future of healthcare in Nigeria. We cannot continue to treat our doctors as second-class citizens while expecting world-class service."
The coming days will test the resolve of NARD members and the government's responsiveness. For now, the nation watches anxiously as its public hospitals fall silent, a stark reminder of the human cost of unresolved labor disputes in critical sectors. With no end in sight, the indefinite strike underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to prevent recurring cycles of industrial action that ultimately harm the very people the healthcare system is meant to serve.
