The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced total and indefinite nationwide strike beginning on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 11:59 pm.
This decision means public hospitals across the country may experience major service disruptions in the coming days.
The strike decision was reached after a five-hour emergency National Executive Council meeting on Saturday.
The NEC, which is the highest decision-making body of the association, voted unanimously for a full shutdown following what the doctors described as the Federal Government’s failure to respond satisfactorily to their 30-day ultimatum.
NARD President, Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman, disclosed the outcome of the meeting in a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday.
He said the National Officers Committee had carried out the mandate given to them by doctors across the country and would now enforce the new directive from NEC.
He wrote, “The NEC has unanimously directed us to declare a TOTAL, COMPREHENSIVE AND INDEFINITE STRIKE ACTION to commence on Friday 31st October 2025 at 11:59pm.”
Suleiman added that the association would follow the directive strictly.
“We have reported to NEC and NEC has decided. The NOC will carry out this directive to its latter and in full compliance,” he said.
According to him, NEC has also issued new instructions to guide the strike. These include strike monitoring, no work no pay or no pay no work resolutions, and operational guidelines for centres across states.
He further stated that each hospital branch must call an emergency congress meeting to brief members on the resolutions before the strike begins. He noted that this would ensure uniform compliance and prevent sabotage.
The NARD president also claimed that certain forces were working against the welfare of young doctors in Nigeria.
In his words, “Some elements in the Government (and non-Governmental) have very evil and exploitative plans for Resident Doctors in this country. We shall collectively resist it.”
He advised doctors to use the days before the strike to hand over patients properly and continue public engagement.
The association listed handover of inpatients, engagement with traditional and religious leaders, media sensitisation, and local congress mobilisation as activities doctors must complete before Friday.
Suleiman encouraged members to remain strong.
“Trust the process, believe in your leaders, engage with your leaders and remain resolute. Victory is certain,” he wrote.
A full communiqué and press briefing are expected to be released soon to clarify the association’s minimum demands.
The planned strike comes at a time many public hospitals are already battling staff shortages caused by migration of doctors abroad in search of better pay and working conditions.
