The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its five-day nationwide warning strike, offering the Federal Government a two-week grace period to meet their demands.
In a statement released on Saturday following an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on September 13, the association said the decision was made in consideration of the hardship faced by Nigerians in the current economic climate.
The suspension officially took effect at 8 a.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2025.
According to the communique signed by NARD President Osundara Tope, Secretary-General Odunbaku Oluwasola and Publicity and Social Secretary Amobi Omoha, the Federal Government has shown commitment to resolving the issues raised in the doctors’ demands.
This includes the commencement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) payments for previously unpaid members.
“After due deliberations… the NEC resolved to suspend the strike action… to allow the government a two-week window to fully implement the demands contained in our communiqué,” the statement read.
NARD didn’t stop at the federal level. The association also urged the Oyo State Government to act swiftly on the ongoing crisis affecting doctors at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso.
They backed the 15-day ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Oyo State, warning that failure to act could result in an indefinite solidarity strike involving all NARD members in the state.
In addition, NARD encouraged other state governments to promptly address the various welfare-related challenges affecting resident doctors in their jurisdictions.
“Members in state tertiary hospitals are empowered to continue their industrial action until their respective governments show genuine commitment,” the association added.
The now-suspended strike began on Friday, September 13, following the expiration of a 24-hour ultimatum NARD issued to the federal government.
This ultimatum had followed a prior 10-day deadline that lapsed on September 10 without resolution.
Among the association’s key demands were: Full payment of the 2025 MRTF, Settlement of five months of arrears related to the revised 25–35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, Disbursement of specialist allowances, Recognition of West African postgraduate membership certificates and Certificate issuance by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
Others are; implementation of the resolution of welfare issues in Kaduna State and Intervention at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital.
Speaking before the strike commenced, Minister of State for Health, Isaq Salako, expressed optimism that a resolution was within reach.
“The National Association of Resident Doctors has issued an ultimatum, but I believe… we are making progress,” he said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
Salako admitted that the residency training allowance was a core issue, with about 40% still unpaid for 2025. He expressed hope that the matter would be settled promptly.
Resident doctors, who are medical graduates undergoing specialist training, are critical to Nigeria’s healthcare system.
They form the backbone of most hospital emergency departments and play a significant role in delivering patient care nationwide.
