Resident Doctors Declare Nation- wide strike for November 1

‎Resident doctors across Nigeria have declared an indefinite nationwide strike starting November 1, 2025, over the Federal Government’s failure to meet their long-standing demands.
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‎The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) announced the industrial action after the Federal Government failed to meet its demands within the 30-day ultimatum issued in September.
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‎The strike is expected to cripple operations in public hospitals nationwide, where resident doctors form the bulk of the medical workforce.
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‎NARD President, Dr Muhammad Suleiman, confirmed the decision, saying it was reached after the association’s National Executive Council reviewed the government’s response during an emergency virtual meeting.
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‎“The NEC of NARD has declared total and indefinite strike action starting November 1st of 2025. As a matter of fact, the NEC said all 19 points are our minimum demands, and there is no going back. The notice for the strike will be out maybe later today or tomorrow,” Suleiman said.
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‎The association stated that the strike followed several unfulfilled promises and delays in addressing key issues affecting its members’ welfare and training.
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‎Among their grievances are unpaid arrears from the 25 and 35-per cent upward review of CONMESS, which the government promised to settle by August 2025. NARD also expressed anger over the non-payment of promotion arrears and the 2024 accoutrement allowance, despite multiple assurances from the Ministry of Health.
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‎The doctors also decried the unjust dismissal of five resident doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, describing it as insensitive amid the worsening brain drain in the country.
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‎Other issues include delays in upgrading resident doctors’ ranks after passing postgraduate exams, the exclusion of residents from specialist allowances, and the removal of medical and dental house officers from the civil service scheme. The group said these policies have led to salary shortages, arrears, and poor morale among doctors.
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‎Dr Suleiman noted that resident doctors continue to face excessive work hours and poor conditions, endangering both their health and patient safety.
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‎As the strike date approaches, Nigerians fear another breakdown of hospital services, especially in teaching and federal medical centers that rely heavily on resident doctors.
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‎However, this will not be the first time Resident Doctors have downed tools over poor welfare. Recall that the association embarked on similar nationwide strikes in 2023 and 2024, which left many government hospitals struggling to deliver essential healthcare services.
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