The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has begun a five-day warning strike, defying Federal Government assurances that the industrial action would be averted.
The strike, which commenced at 8 a.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025, will last until Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
In a statement signed by Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, NARD’s secretary-general, the association confirmed that the decision followed the expiration of a 24-hour ultimatum issued to the government after an earlier 10-day deadline lapsed without resolution.
“As clearly stated in our earlier communique, the strike is scheduled to commence at 8:00 am today. All centre leaderships are expected to guide their members accordingly,” Dr. Odunbaku stated in a message to members.
NARD’s Demands
In a communique issued earlier in September, NARD outlined key demands, including:
Immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
Settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review.
Payment of 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears.
Prompt disbursement of specialist allowances.
Recognition of West African postgraduate membership certificates and issuance of certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
Resolution of welfare issues affecting doctors in Kaduna State and at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
The group described the strike as necessary to push the government to act on lingering issues that have hindered medical professionals for years.
Government’s Response
Reacting earlier to the strike notice, Minister of State for Health, Isaq Salako, had expressed optimism that the industrial action could be averted.
“The National Association of Resident Doctors has issued an ultimatum, but I believe with the level of conversation ongoing, we are making progress,” Salako said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
He admitted that the major issue was the unpaid residency training allowance, confirming that about 40 per cent of the 2025 allocation remains unsettled.
Despite the government’s assurances, the strike has now taken effect, raising concerns over disruptions in emergency wards across the country, where resident doctors form the backbone of service delivery.
Resident Doctors Begin Five-Day Strike Over Unpaid Allowances,Salary Arrears
