Resident Doctors Declare Indefinite Nationwide Strike From August 10
Public hospitals across Nigeria may experience major disruptions from August 10, 2026, following the decision of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to begin an indefinite nationwide strike.
The decision was announced after the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and Annual National Scientific Conference held in Gombe on Thursday.
Speaking after the meeting, NARD President, Dr. Muhammed Usman Suleiman, said the industrial action became necessary because the Federal Government had failed to implement agreements reached with the association and address long-standing welfare issues affecting resident doctors.
According to him, doctors continue to face delayed salaries and allowances, poor welfare, inadequate healthcare facilities, workplace intimidation, harassment and physical attacks despite repeated discussions with government officials.
“The strike is unavoidable due to circumstances beyond the control of the association. Our members can no longer continue to work under conditions that undermine their welfare, safety and professional dignity,” Suleiman said.
He urged the Federal Government to resolve the outstanding issues before the strike begins to prevent a nationwide disruption of healthcare services.
Key Demands
Among the association’s demands is the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, which it said has yet to be disbursed despite previous assurances.
NARD also called for the payment of outstanding salaries, promotion arrears and other entitlements owed to house officers and resident doctors in several federal health institutions.
The association further demanded payment of the 25/35 per cent CONMESS salary review arrears and 19 months of unpaid Professional Allowance arrears, saying members have endured prolonged financial hardship.
It also wants the implementation of the revised CONMESS salary structure, stronger protection for healthcare workers against assaults, faster implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement, and action on recommendations aimed at reducing excessive workload and improving working conditions.
Concerns Across Hospitals
NARD expressed concern over the alleged victimisation of its members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in Ile-Ife, warning that it would resist any form of intimidation.
The association also opposed attempts to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary hospitals, despite an existing government directive abolishing the practice.
It further criticised the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for failing to provide call meals for resident doctors on duty, describing the situation as anti-worker.
Progress Noted
Despite declaring the strike, NARD acknowledged ongoing efforts to address violence against healthcare workers and welcomed the near-completion of reports by ministerial committees investigating workplace assaults, excessive workload, prolonged call hours, casualisation of doctors and abusive locum appointments.
The association also commended some state governments and private tertiary hospitals for implementing welfare measures, including payment of Professional Allowance arrears, Specialist Allowance, revised CONMESS salaries and the Medical Residency Training Fund.
However, it maintained that progress at the federal level has been slow and insufficient.
If no agreement is reached before August 10, government-owned hospitals across the country are expected to witness significant disruptions to outpatient services, emergency care and specialist medical treatment.
