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Resident doctors begin five-day warning strike after ultimatum to FG lapses
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Doctors demand release of medical residency training fund and hazard pay
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Action paralyses hospitals, leaving patients stranded nationwide
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced a five-day warning strike today after its ultimatum to the Federal Government expired without resolution of demands over unpaid allowances, salary arrears and the medical residency training fund.
The strike, described as unavoidable by the association, is expected to paralyse public hospitals as Nigerian resident doctors provide the backbone of clinical services in federal and state facilities.
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In a notice titled “Declaration of strike action” signed by Secretary-General Dr Oluwasola Odunbaku on Friday.
The doctors confirmed the shutdown of services, stating: “Good morning, NEC Members, thank you all for your continued cooperation and understanding.
“As clearly stated in our earlier communique, the strike is scheduled to commence at 8:00 am today (Friday). All Centre leadership is expected to guide their members accordingly. Further updates will be communicated to NEC members in due course.”
The association said the action became inevitable after the government failed to release the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settle five months of arrears under the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, and pay outstanding hazard and specialist allowances.
The decision to strike was taken after a six-hour Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, where the doctors expressed frustration at what they called persistent government inaction.
The group recalled that it had issued a 21-day ultimatum in July, later extended by 10 days, but after both expired on September 10, a final 24-hour grace period was given on Thursday, September 11.
READ ALSO: Resident Doctors Threaten Nationwide Strike, Issue FG 10-Day Ultimatum
When that deadline also lapsed without response, the association resolved to embark on the nationwide action.
The E-NEC said it was disappointed that repeated extensions and opportunities had been ignored by authorities, leaving critical welfare concerns unresolved and forcing doctors to withdraw services.
The shutdown is already affecting hospitals, with patients stranded and emergency wards overstretched.
