Resident Doctors are Meeting Today to Decide on Nationwide Strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) will today (Wednesday) hold a crucial National Executive Council meeting to decide whether to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.

The doctors had earlier issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, threatening industrial action if their demands were not met.

NARD, which makes up the bulk of the workforce in Nigeria’s teaching and specialist hospitals, is demanding the immediate release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent CONMESS salary review, settlement of outstanding allowances, and recognition of postgraduate membership certificates, among other welfare concerns.

In a communiqué signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, the doctors also urged the government to address unresolved issues affecting members in Kaduna State and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

Speaking on Tuesday, Dr. Osundara said the outcome of the NEC meeting would be determined by the government’s response.

“If there is a positive response, it will guide our decision. But if not, the council will take a firm stance on the next steps, including the possibility of industrial action,” he told The PUNCH.

NARD’s First Vice-President, Dr. Tajudeen Abdulrauf, also confirmed that the meeting would reassess the ultimatum, warning that failure to meet the demands could threaten industrial harmony.

Health experts fear that a strike could cripple public healthcare delivery nationwide, forcing patients into expensive private care and worsening Nigeria’s already strained health system.