Nigerian Resident Doctors Begin Indefinite Strike, Accuse Government Of Inaction

Resident doctors across Nigeria have commenced an indefinite strike over what they described as the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government’s repeated failure to honour agreements reached with them after several rounds of negotiation.

The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr Mohammad Suleiman, announced the strike in a statement issued on Saturday through the association’s official account.

He said the decision followed the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier given to the government.

According to him, “the strike has become inevitable following the repeated failure of the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour its promises and implement the agreements reached with us after several rounds of dialogue, appeals and ultimatums.”

Suleiman explained that the association was aware of the hardship the action might cause but he said the decision was unavoidable.

“We wish to address you at this critical time as we embark on a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike, a decision that did not come lightly, nor was it ever our desire. We are fully aware of the pains and inconveniences that accompany any disruption in healthcare services, and we deeply regret the situation.”

He stressed that the doctors’ demands were genuine and not politically motivated. “Our demands are not selfish, neither are they politically motivated. They are genuine, germane, and patriotic, centred on the survival of the Nigerian health system and the well-being of every citizen who depends on it,” he said.

The association listed its demands to include fair remuneration, payment of arrears, improvement of working conditions, adequate staffing, and provision of essential medical infrastructure. Suleiman added that the strike was necessary to restore dignity to the nation’s healthcare system.

“A nation’s health system can only be as strong as the hands that sustain it. If the doctors are broken, under-motivated, or forced to seek survival abroad, the patients suffer most,” he stated.

He appealed to Nigerians for understanding and support. “We therefore call on all Nigerians – our patients, civil society groups, labour unions, religious and traditional leaders, and every citizen of conscience – to stand with us. Add your voices to ours in appealing to the Federal Government to do the right thing.”

The NARD president clarified that the action was not against the government but aimed at building a humane and functional healthcare system.

Meanwhile, resident doctors in Abuja had on Thursday declared their intention to join the strike over unmet demands by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

NARD had earlier announced that the nationwide strike would begin on Saturday, 1st November 2025.