The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called off its five-day warning strike and directed members to return to work on Sunday.
The association, however, has given the Federal Government two weeks to meet pending demands.
Resident doctors began their strike on Friday morning but decided to end it by Saturday night, instructing members to return to their duty posts on Sunday.
According to Daily Trust, NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, explained that the decision was taken to reduce the hardship faced by Nigerians who rely on public hospitals for medical care.
“Some of our demands have been met, while the government has promised to address others. Strike suspended; resumption of work tomorrow (today). We did this as a sign of goodwill and to assist Nigerians seeking healthcare in our facilities,” Osundara said.
The association had earlier issued a series of ultimatums before the strike, including a 21-day notice in July, a 10-day extension that expired on September 10, and a final 24-hour deadline.
Media reports revealed that “the resident doctors are demanding, among others, immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, and restoration of recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.”
In addition, they want the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all qualified candidates, full implementation of the 2024 CONMESS, resolution of welfare issues in Kaduna State, and redress of grievances affecting doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
The strike had disrupted services in public hospitals nationwide, leaving consultants and other health workers overstretched and patients facing delays.
In a communiqué issued after an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, NARD said the suspension followed the government’s commitment to address some of its concerns and the commencement of payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund to members previously excluded.
The communiqué, signed by Osundara; the General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and the Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, stated that the strike was suspended effective 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2025, to give the government a two-week window to fulfil the demands.
The association called on the Oyo State Government to honour the 15-day ultimatum previously issued by the Nigerian Medical Association’s Oyo branch over unresolved challenges at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital. It warned that ignoring the deadline could trigger an indefinite solidarity strike.
NARD also appealed to other state governments to address lingering welfare issues affecting resident doctors in their facilities and reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with authorities at all levels to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.
