By Philomina Brando
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike beginning 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025, following the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over unresolved welfare demands.
NARD President, Dr. Mohammed Usman Suleiman, announced the decision on Saturday via his official X handle, stating that it followed a five-hour extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held earlier in the day.
According to him, the government failed to act within the ultimatum period despite repeated engagements by the association’s leadership.
He said, “Twenty-nine days ago, you gave this National Officers Committee (NOC) the mandate to lead our noble association. Along with that mandate, you also handed us a second mandate of a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on our demands.”
Dr. Suleiman continued, “Today, after a five-hour Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, the members of NEC have issued new marching orders to us once again. The NEC has unanimously directed us to declare a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action to commence on Friday, 31st October 2025, at 11:59 p.m.”
He said the NOC had executed the directive “with grace and confidence,” adding that the association’s leadership would fully implement the NEC’s resolution.
“We have reported to NEC and NEC has decided. The NOC will carry out this directive to its letter and in full compliance,” he stated.
The NARD president also accused certain elements within and outside government of plotting to exploit resident doctors, vowing that the association would resist such attempts.
“May I kindly say, some elements in the Government (and non-Governmental) have very evil and exploitative plans for resident doctors in this country. We shall collectively resist it,” he said.
He noted that the NEC had outlined “minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, and No Work No Pay/No Pay No Work resolutions,” among other measures to ensure full compliance and success of the strike.
The association further directed its members across the country to hand over patients properly and engage traditional and religious leaders in their localities in preparation for the industrial action.
NARD had in September given a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding among other things the immediate payment of accumulated promotion arrears, release of corrected professional allowance tables, reinstatement of five sacked doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and urgent action on the long-delayed review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
Resident doctors, who make up the bulk of the workforce in Nigeria’s teaching and specialist hospitals, have repeatedly embarked on strike actions in recent years over issues bordering on unpaid wages, poor welfare, and inadequate working conditions.