Resident doctors call off strike, issue fresh two-week ultimatum to FG
Resident doctors call off strike, issue fresh two-week ultimatum to FG
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has suspended its five-day warning strike just two days after it commenced.
The association also issued the Federal Government an additional two-week ultimatum to address its demands.
The President of the association, Dr. Tope Osundara, announced the suspension in a WhatsApp message on Saturday, stating that members have been directed to resume work today (Sunday).
He said, “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.”
The doctors had issued a series of ultimatums before embarking on the strike — a 21-day ultimatum in July, extended by 10 days, which lapsed on September 10, followed by a final 24-hour deadline.
With the suspension of the warning strike, NARD said it is now giving the government an additional two weeks to fulfil its promises
The doctors had embarked on the strike to press home their demands, which include the immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund; settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review; and other long-standing salary backlogs.
The doctors also demanded the settlement of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, timely payment of specialist allowances, and the reinstatement of recognition for the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
They further urged the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all qualified candidates, implement the 2024 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, resolve pending welfare matters in Kaduna State, and address the challenges facing resident doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
The strike had severely disrupted services in public hospitals nationwide, leaving consultants and other health workers to handle overwhelming caseloads, while patients endured long delays.
In a communiqué issued after an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Saturday, the association explained that the suspension followed the Federal Government’s pledge to address some of its demands and the commencement of payments of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund to previously excluded members.
The communiqué, signed by NARD President Dr. Tope Osundara, General Secretary Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Omoha Amobi, stated:
“After due deliberations, and mindful of the plight of Nigerians struggling with health challenges amid the prevailing harsh economy, the NEC resolved to suspend the strike effective 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2025, granting the Government a two-week window to fully implement the demands outlined in our communiqué.”
The association also urged the Oyo State Government to meet the 15-day ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association’s Oyo State branch to resolve outstanding issues at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, warning that failure to do so could trigger an indefinite solidarity strike by its members in the state.
NARD further called on other state governments to urgently address welfare concerns affecting resident doctors. In line with the NEC’s resolution, members in state-owned tertiary hospitals were authorised to continue industrial action until their respective governments demonstrate genuine commitment to resolving their grievances.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to working with all levels of government to improve healthcare delivery for Nigerians.
