Resident Doctors Suspend Warning Strike, Issue Two-Week Ultimatum

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its five-day warning strike just two days after it commenced, while giving the Federal Government an additional two-week ultimatum to meet its demands.

NARD had begun the strike on Friday morning but announced its suspension on Saturday night, directing members to resume duties on Sunday.

President of the association, Dr. Tope Osundara, confirmed the decision in a WhatsApp message.

“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,” he said.

The doctors had issued several ultimatums before withdrawing their services: an initial 21-day notice in July, later extended by 10 days, which expired on September 10, followed by a final 24-hour deadline.

Their demands include 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 (CONMESS) review, as well as other pending salary backlogs. They are also pressing for payment of 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, timely release of specialist allowances, and recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

The association further called on the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue certificates to deserving candidates, ensure implementation of the 2024 CONMESS, resolve welfare challenges in Kaduna State, and address the plight of doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

During the strike, services in public hospitals were disrupted nationwide. Consultants and other health workers were left to manage increased caseloads, while patients endured long delays.

In a communiqué issued after an Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday, NARD said the decision to suspend the action was influenced by the government’s recent commitments, including the commencement of payments for the 2025 Residency Training Fund to some affected members.

The communiqué, signed by Dr. Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, read:

“After due deliberations, considering the plight of Nigerians who are grappling with health issues under the present harsh economy, the NEC resolved to suspend the strike action effective 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, 14th September, 2025, to allow the Government a two-week window to fully implement the demands contained in our communiqué.”

The doctors also urged the Oyo State Government to act on a 15-day ultimatum earlier issued by the Nigerian Medical Association’s Oyo State branch over unresolved issues at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, warning that failure could trigger an indefinite solidarity strike in the state.

NARD further called on other state governments to urgently resolve welfare concerns affecting resident doctors, while affirming its readiness to work with all levels of government to improve healthcare delivery for Nigerians.