…Say government failed to meet 30-day ultimatum
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has said it would begin a total and indefinite nationwide strike effective 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025, following what it described as the Federal Government’s failure to satisfactorily address its demands after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum.
The decision was reached after a five-hour emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Saturday. The NEC, which is the association’s highest decision-making body, reportedly voted unanimously in favour of the strike.
NARD President, Dr. Mohammed Usman Suleiman, announced the resolution in a statement posted on his official X handle on Sunday.
“The NEC has unanimously directed us to declare a TOTAL, COMPREHENSIVE AND INDEFINITE STRIKE ACTION to commence on Friday, 31st October 2025, at 11:59 p.m.,” Suleiman stated.
He added that the National Officers Committee (NOC) had fulfilled its mandate and would now fully implement the NEC’s directive, adding “We have reported to NEC, and NEC has decided. The NOC will carry out this directive to the letter and in full compliance”.
According to Suleiman, the NEC also issued fresh operational guidelines to ensure uniform implementation of the strike across all centres. These include strike monitoring frameworks, enforcement of the “no work, no pay” or “no pay, no work” policy, and instructions for all hospital branches to convene emergency congresses to brief members ahead of the action.
He further alleged that certain elements within and outside government were working against the welfare of young doctors in Nigeria, adding “Some elements in government (and non-governmental) circles have very evil and exploitative plans for resident doctors in this country. We shall collectively resist it”.
Ahead of the strike, NARD directed its members to properly hand over patients, and to intensify public sensitisation through engagement with traditional and religious leaders, media outreach, and local congress mobilisation.
Dr. Suleiman urged members to remain united and steadfast, expressing confidence that their collective effort would yield results, adding “Trust the process, believe in your leaders, engage with your leaders, and remain resolute. Victory is certain”.
