The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its month-long nationwide strike, ending 29 days of disrupted medical services across the country. The industrial action, which began on November 1, 2025, was called off following an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting. NARD’s Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, confirmed the development, stating that the decision to suspend the strike was made after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government.
The strike, which involved approximately 11,000 resident doctors from 91 federal and state teaching hospitals, severely impacted healthcare delivery nationwide. The doctors’ union had set seven conditions for ending the strike, including the release of the Professional Allowance Table and approval for doctors’ entry level to be placed at CONMESS 3. According to Dr. Ibrahim, two of these demands have already been met.
The remaining five conditions, which cover issues such as the reinstatement of the Lokoja doctors, payment of arrears, upgrades for eligible doctors, specialist allowance, and the Membership Certificate matter, are expected to be addressed within the next four weeks. Dr. Ibrahim cautioned that the association would not hesitate to resume the suspended action if the government fails to deliver on the outstanding commitments within the agreed timeframe.
The suspension of the strike is a significant development, as it is expected to restore normal medical services across the country. However, the ongoing negotiations between NARD and the Federal Government will be closely watched, as the association has made it clear that it will not hesitate to take further action if its demands are not met. The strike has highlighted the challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system, including issues related to funding, staffing, and working conditions.
The Nigerian government has been working to address these challenges, including increasing funding for the healthcare sector and implementing reforms aimed at improving the working conditions of healthcare professionals. The outcome of the current negotiations between NARD and the government will be crucial in determining the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system. With the strike suspended, attention will now turn to the government’s ability to meet the outstanding demands and ensure that the country’s healthcare system is able to provide quality services to its citizens.