The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced an indefinite nationwide strike effective 12am today Saturday, November 1, 2025.
The strike, which is expected to paralyze activities in government-owned hospitals across the country, followed the federal government’s alleged failure to meet a 19-point list of demands described by the association as its “minimum expectations.”
At a press conference held in Abuja, NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, said the decision was reached after a five-hour emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) last week.
He said the association had exercised restraint and patience despite repeated government’s inaction on critical welfare and payment issues affecting doctors and other healthcare workers.
“There are allowances pending for over two years, some for 18 months, seven months, four months, and even as far back as 10 years. The basic salary of doctors in this country has not been reviewed for 16 years”he said
He added that the federal government owes medical personnel an estimated N38 billion in accumulated allowances and arrears, while several hospitals continued to operate under poor conditions due to lack of funding and inadequate staffing.
Among NARD’s key demands include immediate payment of the outstanding 25–35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears and the 2024 accoutrement allowance. Settlement of all pending financial entitlements owed to doctors and other health workers, and reinstatement of five resident doctors dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, with full payment of their outstanding salaries and allowances
