Nigeria’s resident doctors on Sunday suspended a planned five-day nationwide warning strike after the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) said the federal government committed to address its demands.
In a statement after a virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, NARD said: “After due deliberations… the NEC resolved to suspend the strike action effective 8 a.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2025, to allow the government a two-week window to fully implement the demands contained in our communiqué.”
NARD said the federal government agreed to begin payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), a key demand.
The union’s statement, signed by President Osundara Tope and other leaders, listed other grievances including unpaid salary arrears from the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, and restoration of recognition for West African postgraduate membership certificates.
The union warned state governments to act on local issues.
It said the Oyo State branch must be allowed 15 days to resolve problems at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital or face an “indefinite solidarity strike.”
The statement added: “In line with the NEC resolution, members in state tertiary hospitals are empowered to continue their industrial action until their respective governments demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing their concerns.”
The Minister of State for Health, Isaq Salako had earlier expressed optimism that talks could prevent a strike.
He said the government has yet to pay about “40 percent” of the MRTF for 2025 but was working on a solution.
NARD urged continued dialogue while urging authorities to meet the two-week deadline to avoid renewed nationwide action.
