Nigerian Resident Doctors Suspend 29-Day Strike After Reaching Agreement with Government
LAGOS – In a significant development for Nigeria’s public health sector, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide strike, concluding a 29-day industrial action that crippled medical services across the country.
A Cautious Truce After a Month of Disruption
The strike, which commenced on November 1, 2025, was officially called off on Saturday following an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting. The decision, confirmed by NARD’s Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, hinges on a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government.
The industrial action saw approximately 11,000 resident doctors from 91 federal and state teaching hospitals withdraw their services. This mass exodus left a profound gap in Nigeria’s healthcare system, exacerbating wait times and limiting access to critical care in public hospitals.
Breakdown of the Agreement: Two Met, Five Pending
The suspension is predicated on the government addressing seven core demands put forward by the doctors’ union. According to Dr. Ibrahim, this agreement represents a phased victory.
“The strike was suspended after we signed the MoU with the Federal Government outlining the seven conditions we required,” he stated. “Two have been met, and the others are to be completed within the next four weeks.”
The two demands already implemented are:
- The release of the Professional Allowance Table.
- Approval for doctors’ entry level to be placed at CONMESS 3, a significant step in improving starting salaries and career progression.
The Outstanding Issues
The remaining five demands, for which the government has a four-week deadline, include more complex and systemic issues:
- Reinstatement of Doctors in Lokoja: Addressing a localized but symbolically important labor dispute.
- Payment of Arrears: Clearing backlogged salary payments, a recurring point of contention.
- Upgrades for Eligible Doctors: Ensuring timely promotions and corresponding salary adjustments.
- Specialist Allowance: Recognizing and remunerating specialized skills.
- Membership Certificate Matter: Resolving administrative hurdles related to certification.
A Sword of Damocles: The Threat of Resumed Action
The suspension is explicitly conditional. Dr. Ibrahim issued a stark warning, underscoring the union’s readiness to resume the strike if the government fails to meet the four-week deadline for the outstanding commitments.
“If the remaining demands are not met before the deadline, we will go back on strike,” he cautioned.
This statement places immense pressure on the government to deliver and signals a fragile peace. For patients and hospital administrators, the reprieve is tempered by the uncertainty of what happens in one month.
Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Health Sector
This latest strike is part of a recurring pattern of industrial unrest in Nigeria’s health sector, highlighting deep-seated issues related to funding, working conditions, and brain drain. The repeated disruption of services not only causes immediate hardship for citizens but also erodes long-term trust in the public health system.
The resolution of this strike, while a temporary relief, does not solve the underlying structural problems. The coming four weeks will be a critical test of the government’s political will to implement lasting solutions and break the cycle of strikes that has plagued the sector for years.
This report is based on information originally published by Daily Post.