Resident Doctors Suspend 29-Day Strike, Order Immediate Resumption of Duties

By our Correspondent

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called off its nationwide strike, which lasted for 29 days, and directed its members to return to work immediately following new agreements reached with the Federal Government.

The industrial action, which began on November 1, 2025, was suspended after an Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Saturday.

NARD President, Dr. Mohamed Suleiman, told The Guardian that the strike was suspended based on assurances secured from the government regarding critical outstanding issues.

“We have reached an agreement and signed an MoU. After evaluating the stipulated timelines and terms, the NEC found them satisfactory. The most appropriate step is to suspend the strike and allow at least four weeks for implementation,” Suleiman stated.

He emphasized that the suspension takes effect immediately and that all resident doctors are expected to resume duties without delay.

Throughout the 29-day industrial action, the association pressed for 19 key demands, which they described as essential for stabilizing Nigeria’s healthcare system and safeguarding the medical profession.

Among their principal grievances were the non-payment of the outstanding 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS upward review arrears since August 2025, coupled with unpaid salary and promotion arrears owed to medical officers in federal tertiary hospitals. They also faulted the government’s failure to disburse the 2024 accoutrement allowance despite repeated assurances from the Ministry of Health. Additionally, NARD condemned the controversial dismissal of five resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja — a situation they found troubling amid rising burnout and an increasing “Japa” wave in the health sector.

Despite the progress signaled by the agreement, NARD stressed that the next four weeks will determine the government’s sincerity. The union warned that industrial action could resume if the commitments are not met.