Posted on: Mon 17-11-2025

The nationwide strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has entered its 17th day, with no resolution in sight as the union maintains its stance on key demands.

 

A survey by Daily Trust indicated that several health facilities across the country were deserted on Sunday, as resident doctors—who play critical roles in service delivery—continued to stay away from work.

 

Over the weekend, NARD took to X (formerly Twitter) to urge the Federal Government to immediately finalise a long-overdue Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and review the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which the association described as outdated.

 

“Dear Nigerians, Doctors Deserve a Fair Deal! For long we have waited for a Collective Bargaining Agreement—a simple, written promise that ensures fairness, clear work terms, and proper pay,” the union wrote. “However, the government continues to delay, while doctors face rising costs and eroding morale. We demand the immediate conclusion of the CBA and review of the outdated CONMESS salary structure.”

 

Speaking to Daily Trust on Sunday evening, NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, said the union had not signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government because no concrete agreements had been reached.

 

“We are yet to sign the MOU. Agreements are yet to be reached,” he stated.

 

The prolonged industrial action has paralysed services in at least 91 health facilities nationwide, leaving patients stranded and heightening public concern. The striking resident doctors—about 11,500 of Nigeria’s 56,000 registered medical practitioners—constitute a significant portion of the country’s medical workforce.

 

NARD insists that its 19-point demand list is both reasonable and essential to safeguard the welfare of doctors and the quality of healthcare delivery. Key issues include unpaid arrears, poor working conditions, inadequate staffing, excessive workload, and the absence of adequate medical infrastructure—challenges the union says have severely hampered healthcare delivery nationwide.

 

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to urgently address the strike and ensure that resident doctors return to work promptly.

 

“President Tinubu has expressly directed that we do everything possible and legitimate to ensure that the resident doctors return to their duty posts as soon as possible,” Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, told journalists two days after the strike began.

 

However, with negotiations still stalled, there is growing anxiety among citizens as the healthcare system continues to feel the strain of the prolonged shutdown.

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