The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared a total and indefinite strike, effective from 11:59pm on Friday, October 31, 2025.
The decision followed the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over unresolved welfare and administrative issues affecting its members.
NARD had earlier embarked on a five-day warning strike on September 12, 2025, which was suspended within 24 hours after a virtual emergency meeting.
In a statement on Saturday, the association’s president, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, said the decision was reached during an Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, where delegates from across the country unanimously endorsed the industrial action.
Dr. Suleiman lamented that the Federal Government had failed to address long-standing concerns despite several engagements and assurances.
He said resident doctors had been “left with no viable alternative” but to withdraw their services to compel the authorities to act.
“Twenty-nine days ago, you gave this National Officers Committee the mandate to lead our noble association and a second mandate of a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government. I am happy to report that we have carried out that mandate with grace and confidence, ” Suleiman stated.
He added that after extensive deliberations, the NEC directed the National Officers Committee (NOC) to activate the strike machinery and ensure full compliance across all NARD chapters nationwide.
“The NEC has unanimously directed us to declare a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action to commence on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 11:59 p. m., ” he announced.
According to the statement, the NEC also ratified resolutions on the “No Work, No Pay” and “No Pay, No Work” policies, while adopting what it described as “minimum demands and tactical instruments” for the effective execution of the strike.
These include the formation of monitoring committees and an internal communication framework to maintain unity and discipline among members.
The association further directed all centre presidents and general secretaries to hold emergency congress meetings to brief members and mobilise for total participation.
Dr. Suleiman also accused certain “elements within and outside government” of trying to weaken the union’s bargaining power through “exploitative and manipulative schemes, ” warning that such moves would be met with strong resistance.
Ahead of the strike, he urged members to ensure proper patient handover and engage community, religious, and traditional leaders in public sensitisation efforts.
“Let me appeal to all NARDites: trust the process, believe in your leaders, and remain steadfast. Victory is certain. If there is blame, let it rest on me as your president; if there is praise, it belongs to every NARD member, ” he said.
He added that the association would soon hold a press briefing to present its demands and explain the reasons for the nationwide strike.
