Resident Doctors End Strike Following Breakthrough Talks With FG

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide strike, bringing an end to nearly a month of halted services across federal hospitals. The industrial action, which began on November 1, disrupted medical care in several states, forcing patients to turn to private facilities or postpone treatment while negotiations dragged on.

NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, confirmed the suspension on Saturday via his X handle, saying the association’s National Executive Council agreed to call off the strike following a new round of negotiations with the Federal Government and the signing of a revised memorandum of understanding.

The MoU outlines government timelines for clearing arrears, restoring allowances, and resolving key welfare issues raised by the doctors.

Suleiman said one of the major sticking points, promotion arrears, has now been addressed, with the government committing to complete payment within four weeks. He noted that some hospitals had been slow to submit names but have now been directed to do so immediately to ensure no doctor is left out.

On salary challenges, the NARD president explained that the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation has issued a formal directive approving specialist allowances, while the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission has been instructed to implement the adjustment. This payment also carries a four-week deadline.

He added that progress was made on issues relating to the “Lokoja 5,” a group of doctors whose employment status at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, had been disputed. A government committee has now recommended their full absorption, with execution expected within two weeks.

NARD said the government also provided updates on the 25% and 35% CONMESS allowance payments, assuring that the processes are ongoing. The long-delayed accoutrement allowance, which has been a recurring demand in past strikes, was also included in the commitments.

Resident doctors launch 5-Day warning strike across Nigeria

The strike was driven by a wide set of grievances: delayed arrears, stalled allowance payments, lack of clarity on residency funding, workload imbalance, infrastructure decay, and what the association described as a general decline in doctors’ welfare. Resident doctors also pushed for the release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of backlogged allowances from the CONMESS review, and recognition of postgraduate certificates issued by the West African colleges.

Suleiman said the strike was suspended, not permanently called off, to allow the government time to meet the agreed timelines. He emphasized that NARD will be “watching every step” and will not hesitate to reconvene if implementation falters.

For now, resident doctors are expected to resume duties immediately, restoring services in federal teaching hospitals and medical centres nationwide as Nigerians hope the agreement finally brings lasting stability to the health sector.