The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced a five-day nationwide warning strike, starting from Friday, September 12, 2025, to demand better working conditions and the fulfilment of long-standing agreements with the government.
The strike was confirmed in a statement released on Thursday, September 11, by Agbor Affiong, the General Secretary of the Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
According to Affiong, the decision to embark on the industrial action was taken during the association’s emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which held virtually on Wednesday and extended into the early hours of Thursday.
“The strike will commence at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, 12th September 2025, and will end on Tuesday, 16th September 2025,” the statement read.
“All centres are hereby directed to duly inform their hospital managements and continue to press home our collective demands.”
Resident doctors across the country have raised concerns about poor remuneration, lack of adequate facilities, and the government’s failure to honour previous agreements. NARD has also been calling for improved welfare packages, payment of salary arrears, and better funding for hospitals, among other issues.
This latest strike comes amid an already ongoing seven-day warning strike by resident doctors under the FCTA, which began on Monday, September 8, 2025.
The nationwide strike is expected to affect public hospitals across Nigeria, as resident doctors form a large percentage of the workforce in government-owned health institutions.
The medical sector in Nigeria has witnessed several industrial actions in recent years, especially by resident doctors, who have often accused the government of insincerity and delays in meeting agreed terms.
Earlier strikes have centred on similar issues, including unpaid salaries, poor hazard allowances, lack of residency training funds, and delayed promotions. Although some agreements were reached in past negotiations, many have not been fully implemented, prompting recurring unrest in the sector.
NARD’s NEC has now resolved that only a show of seriousness and commitment from the government can bring lasting peace to the health sector.
With doctors across government hospitals set to down tools for five days, patients may face delays in treatment, cancelled appointments, and reduced services in wards, clinics, and emergency units.
There has been no official response yet from the Federal Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Labour as of the time of filing this report. However, stakeholders are urging the government to urgently engage with NARD to find a lasting solution and prevent the situation from worsening.
Meanwhile, NARD has said it remains committed to the well-being of Nigerians but must take necessary steps to protect the interests of its members.
“We are not insensitive to the suffering of our people, but we cannot continue to work under these harsh conditions,” the statement concluded.
The strike is expected to end on Tuesday, September 16, unless otherwise extended.
