In a decisive move that has sent ripples across Nigeria’s healthcare sector, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has officially embarked on a five-day nationwide warning strike, beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, 12th September 2025. This action comes despite earlier assurances by the Federal Government that the strike could be averted through ongoing negotiations.

Resident doctors, who are medical graduates undergoing specialist training, form the backbone of emergency and inpatient care in hospitals nationwide. Their absence from duty is expected to significantly impact healthcare delivery, particularly in critical units such as accident and emergency wards.

The strike was declared following an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association held on Wednesday, 10th September, which extended into the early hours of Thursday, 11th September. In a communique issued thereafter, the NEC members unanimously resolved to down tools, citing the Federal Government’s failure to meet a 24-hour ultimatum that followed an earlier 10-day deadline which expired without resolution.

Confirming the commencement of the industrial action, NARD’s Secretary-General, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, issued a message titled “Declaration of Strike Action” to NEC members. He stated, “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 am yesterday(Friday). All centre leaderships are expected to guide their members accordingly. Further updates will be communicated to NEC members in due course.”

The association had earlier, on 1st September 2025, released a detailed communique signed by its President, Dr. Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi. In the document, NARD outlined a series of longstanding grievances and demands, chief among them being the immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of five months’ salary arrears arising from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, and the disbursement of specialist allowances.

Other demands include the payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, restoration of recognition for the West African postgraduate membership certificates, and the issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to all deserving candidates. The association also called for the full implementation of the 2024 CONMESS, resolution of welfare issues affecting doctors in Kaduna State, and urgent intervention in the plight of resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso.

Reacting to the strike notice earlier in the week, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isaq Salako, expressed optimism that the industrial action could be averted. Speaking during an interview on a national television, Salako acknowledged that the major issue at stake was the outstanding residency training allowance, noting that approximately 40 per cent of the 2025 allocation remained unpaid. “The National Association of Resident Doctors has issued an ultimatum, but I believe with the level of conversation ongoing, we are making progress,” he said. “It is my hope, and that is what we are working on, that the matter will be resolved before the ultimatum expires.”

As the strike enters its second day, hospitals across the country are already feeling the strain, with patients facing delays and disruptions in accessing critical medical services. The Federal Government is yet to issue a formal response to the commencement of the strike, and all eyes remain on Abuja as Nigerians await a resolution to the impasse that threatens to cripple the nation’s healthcare system.