Resident Doctors Begin Five-Day Warning Strike Despite FG Assurances

‎The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced a five-day nationwide warning strike, beginning Friday, September 12, 2025, after weeks of failed negotiations with the Federal Government.

‎‎The action, which will run until Tuesday, September 16, follows the expiration of a 24-hour ultimatum issued to the government to meet its outstanding demands. The ultimatum came after an earlier 10-day deadline that lapsed on September 10 without resolution.

‎‎NARD announced the strike in a message titled “Declaration of Strike Action”, signed by its Secretary-General, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, and circulated among its members yesterday.

‎‎ “As clearly stated in our earlier communique, the strike is scheduled to commence at 8:00 a.m. today. All centre leaderships are expected to guide their members accordingly. Further updates will be communicated in due course,” Dr. Odunbaku wrote.

‎‎Resident doctors, who make up the bulk of Nigeria’s emergency ward workforce, are considered critical to healthcare delivery nationwide. Their absence is expected to put immense strain on the health sector.

‎‎In a communique issued on September 1, 2025, NARD outlined its demands, including:

‎‎Immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).

‎‎Settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review.

‎‎Payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears.

‎‎Prompt disbursement of specialist allowances.

‎‎Restoration of recognition for the West African postgraduate membership certificates.

‎‎Issuance of certificates to deserving candidates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

‎‎Implementation of the 2024 CONMESS and resolution of welfare issues affecting doctors in Kaduna State and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

‎‎Reacting earlier in the week, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isaq Salako, had expressed optimism that the strike could be averted. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Salako admitted that the government was yet to pay about 40% of the 2025 residency training allowance, which he described as the crux of the dispute.

‎‎ “The National Association of Resident Doctors has issued an ultimatum, but I believe with the level of conversation ongoing, we are making progress. It is my hope that the matter will be resolved before the ultimatum expires,” the minister said.

‎‎Despite these assurances, talks broke down, prompting the doctors to down tools nationwide.

‎‎The strike is expected to worsen the plight of patients across the country, with emergency and teaching hospitals likely to bear the brunt. NARD, however, maintains that the action is a warning strike, signaling its readiness for a prolonged shutdown if the government fails to address the issues raised.

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