Resident doctors begin nationwide strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), on Friday, September 12, 2025, embarked on a five-day warning strike.

The commencement of the industrial action was announced via a statement issued by the NARD Secretary-General, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, on Friday.

Odunbaku stated: “Good morning, NEC Members, thank you all for your continued cooperation and understanding. As clearly stated in our earlier communique, the strike is scheduled to commence at 8:00 am today (Friday).

“All Centre leadership is expected to guide their members accordingly. Further updates will be communicated to NEC members in due course.”

The strike follows the resident doctors’ protest against what they described as the federal government’s failure to meet the association’s demands.

Strike: Resident doctors extend ultimatum by 24 hours

The association is demanding the immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to all eligible resident doctors, the settlement of the outstanding five months’ arrears of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), the commencement of payment of specialist allowances to all doctors, and the restoration of the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates to their rightful status.

According to the NARD, many resident doctors are still awaiting payment of their 2025 MRTF.

In addition, five months of arrears tied to the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, 25 per cent/35 per cent are yet to be paid.

Resident doctors, who are medical school graduates training as specialists, dominate the emergency wards of Nigerian hospitals and are crucial to quality healthcare delivery across the country.

The Star