By Muhammad Amaan
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) says it will begin an indefinite nationwide strike on November 1.
The decision followed a five-hour meeting of the association’s national executive council (NEC) on Saturday.
In a statement on Sunday, NARD National President, Dr Muhammad Umsan Suleiman, said the strike directive was issued after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier given to the federal government over unresolved demands.
The association is demanding a 200 percent increase in the consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) and full implementation of new allowances proposed in July 2022, immediate recruitment of clinical staff, and removal of bottlenecks hindering the replacement of exiting doctors.
“The NEC has marshalled out minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, and ‘no work, no pay/no pay, no work’ resolutions needed for a successful execution of this action,” the statement reads in part.
Dr Suleiman said the national officers committee (NOC) has been mandated to ensure full compliance with the directive and to implement strike monitoring and enforcement measures across all centres.
He added that the association’s centre presidents and general secretaries have been directed to convene emergency congress meetings to brief members on the resolutions.
The NARD president accused some government and non-government actors of “evil and exploitative plans” against resident doctors, adding that the union will “collectively resist” such moves.
“The NEC of NARDhas unanimously directed us to declare a TOTAL, COMPREHENSIVE AND INDEFINITE STRIKE ACTION to commence on Friday 31st October 2025 at 11:59pm
We have reported to NEC and NEC has decided. The NOC will carry out this directive to its latter and in full compliance.
“The National Executive Committee (NEC) has marshaled out Minimum Demands, Strike Monitoring directives, No Work No Pay/No Pay No Work resolutions and all such other modalities and weapons needed for a successful execution of this ACTION.
“NEC has also decided that centre Presidents and General Secretaries shall go back and call Emergency Congress Meetings to brief Members on the details there-in,” the statement added.
The NARD president said their members would take the next four working days to; “Hand over patients, Engage with Traditional/Religious/Community Leaders, Engage the Nigerian Public and Press/Media, Countdown to the Strike Action and hold respective Congresses in compliance with NEC directives.
