The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced it will commence an indefinite nationwide strike from 11:59 p.m. on Friday, 31 October 2025.
The decision was reached after a five-hour meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on Saturday, NARD said in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to the National President, Dr Muhammad Umsan Suleiman, the strike follows the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government to address the association’s long-standing demands.
Key Demands
NARD is demanding, among other issues:
A 200 per cent increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
Full implementation of the new allowances proposed in July 2022.
Immediate recruitment of additional clinical staff.
Removal of administrative bottlenecks delaying the replacement of doctors who have left the system.
“The NEC has outlined minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, and ‘no work, no pay / no pay, no work’ resolutions necessary for a successful execution of this action,” the statement read.
Implementation and Mobilisation
Dr Suleiman said the National Officers Committee (NOC) has been mandated to ensure full compliance, monitor adherence across all centres, and enforce the strike accordingly.
He further disclosed that presidents and general secretaries of all centres have been instructed to convene emergency congress meetings to brief members and begin necessary preparations.
In the days leading up to the strike, members are expected to:
Handover patients to appropriate hospital authorities.
Speak with traditional, religious, and community leaders.
Inform the Nigerian public and media about the situation.
Hold congress meetings in accordance with NEC directives.
Government Accused of Neglect
Dr Suleiman accused certain government and non-government actors of harbouring “evil and exploitative plans” against resident doctors, warning that such actions would be “collectively resisted.”
He reaffirmed: “The NEC of NARD has unanimously resolved to embark on a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike. The NOC will implement this directive fully and without deviation.”
