Resident Doctors Begin Indefinite Strike Over Unmet Demands, Accuse FG of Breaching Agreements
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike following what it described as the Federal Government’s persistent failure to implement agreements reached after multiple negotiations and appeals.
PulseNets learnt that the decision came immediately after the expiration of the 30-day ultimatum earlier issued by the association to the Federal Government.
NARD’s President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, in a statement obtained by PulseNets on Saturday, said the industrial action was not a hasty move but a last resort after the government failed to honour its commitments.
According to him, “We have reached a critical moment that leaves us with no other option but to embark on a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike. This decision was not taken lightly, and certainly not out of disregard for the suffering it may cause.”
He emphasised that the doctors were fully aware of the disruptions such action could cause in hospitals nationwide but insisted it was necessary to protect the country’s failing health system.
“Our demands are not selfish or politically driven,” Suleiman told PulseNets. “They are patriotic and focused on safeguarding the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system, as well as the welfare of every citizen who relies on it.”
He explained that the doctors’ demands include fair remuneration, improved working conditions, adequate staffing, settlement of outstanding arrears, and the provision of essential medical infrastructure across public hospitals.
“We are not fighting for personal gain but for a system where doctors can offer safe and compassionate care in an environment that supports their mental and physical well-being,” Suleiman said. “A doctor who is overworked, underpaid, and mentally drained cannot give the quality care our patients deserve.”
The NARD president further stressed that the nation’s healthcare system was on the verge of collapse, warning that continued neglect would only worsen the ongoing brain drain among medical professionals.
“A nation’s health system is only as strong as the hands that sustain it,” he noted. “If our doctors remain broken and under-motivated, the patients suffer the most. This is why we have chosen to take this painful stand—to secure the future of healthcare for all Nigerians.”
Suleiman appealed to Nigerians, including civil society organisations, labour unions, and traditional and religious leaders, to support the doctors’ cause.
“This is not a battle between doctors and the government,” he stated. “It is a struggle for a just, functional, and humane healthcare system—one where doctors can serve with clear minds and the right tools to save lives.”
He urged the public to pressure the government to address NARD’s grievances so that hospitals could reopen and doctors could resume their duties.
“We stand with Nigerians, as we always have, and now we ask them to stand with us,” he added. “Together, we can rebuild a system that values both the carer and the cared-for.”
Also Read: Resident Doctors Demands Full Salary Restoration, Reject FG’s 25 Percent Increase
Meanwhile, PulseNets learnt that resident doctors under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in Abuja have joined the nationwide strike, citing unresolved issues specific to their jurisdiction.
NARD had last week announced that the strike would commence on Saturday, November 1, 2025, following the federal government’s failure to meet its demands.
