Nigerian Doctors Launch Nationwide Strike, Disrupting Healthcare Services
Over 11,000 members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have initiated an indefinite nationwide strike, which is expected to cause major disruptions in healthcare services across the country. The industrial action began at 12:00 am on Saturday and will impact 91 healthcare facilities, including federal medical centers, teaching hospitals, specialist institutions, and private health facilities.
The strike was confirmed by NARD President Dr. Muhammad Suleiman and Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim during telephone interviews with a correspondent. According to them, the protest stems from unresolved issues such as poor remuneration, staff shortages, unpaid allowances, and unsafe working conditions. The decision to strike follows the expiration of the association’s 30-day ultimatum after an emergency national executive council meeting.
Dr. Suleiman emphasized that while the Ministry of Finance is making efforts to address some financial concerns, these do not fully cover the association’s demands. “Our members have resolved to go ahead,” he stated. Similarly, Dr. Ibrahim noted that all members would participate in the strike across federal, state, and private institutions.
Key Demands of the Strike
The doctors’ strike aims to push for 19 key demands, which include:
- Immediate payment of outstanding 25 to 35 per cent CONMESS salary arrears and other withheld allowances.
- Reinstatement of five resident doctors who were sacked by the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.
- Establishment of a humane and internationally aligned working-hours policy to protect both doctors and patients.
- Urgent recruitment of additional doctors through the enforcement of the one-for-one replacement policy to reduce excessive workload.
- Upgrading of dilapidated facilities and medical equipment across the country.
- Prompt payment of specialist allowances.
- Correction of entry-level placements for house officers.
- Full inclusion of all junior doctors in the public service salary structure.
These demands reflect long-standing grievances within the medical profession, particularly concerning financial compensation and working conditions.
Impact on the Federal Capital Territory
In addition to the national strike, the Association of Resident Doctors of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) has also declared an indefinite strike starting at 12 midnight on Saturday. This decision was outlined in a letter dated October 30, 2025, addressed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and signed by ARD-FCTA President Dr. George Ebong and General Secretary Dr. Agbor Affiong.
The letter states that the strike will continue even if the national body suspends or calls off its ongoing action. The ARD-FCTA cited long-standing welfare and administrative issues affecting its members as the reason for the strike. These issues have not been resolved despite previous engagements with authorities.
Specific Demands from ARD-FCTA
The ARD-FCTA has outlined several specific demands, including:
- Immediate payment of all outstanding salary arrears for members employed since 2023.
- Commencement of recruitment of new doctors with written, time-bound commitments to conclude before the end of 2025.
- Immediate payment of the 2025 MRTF for doctors’ medical training.
- Stoppage of erroneous deductions and correction of irregular salary payments.
- Documented timelines for skipping and conversion to be fully concluded within one month.
- Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding mandating the skipping of members within three months of employment.
- Conversion of post-Part II Fellows to the Consultant cadre within six months of passing.
- Release of promotion timelines and full payment of arrears within one month.
- Immediate payment of wage award arrears, as already done for colleagues at the federal and state levels.
- Payment of arrears from the 25/35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review.
- Urgent renovation, equipping, and upgrading of all FCTA hospitals to globally acceptable standards.
- Immediate payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears.
- Immediate payment of all arrears owed to 2025 external residents.
The strike is expected to further strain healthcare delivery in the FCT, especially as resident doctors constitute the majority of the medical workforce in public hospitals. The ARD-FCTA represents doctors practising in 14 district and general hospitals, including the Department of Public Health under the FCTA.
The letter, received and stamped by various offices on October 31, 2025, signals potential disruptions in medical services across hospitals under the FCT Administration. The strike highlights the deepening crisis in the healthcare sector and the urgent need for resolution of these long-standing issues.
