Resident Doctors Down Tools Nationwide: Nigeria Faces Major Health Crisis

 


Resident Doctors Down Tools Nationwide: Nigeria Faces Major Health Crisis

By Prince O. D. Agbedeyi PhD

The healthcare sector in Nigeria has once again been thrown into turmoil as the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) embarked on a five-day nationwide warning strike starting Friday, September 12, 2025. The action, which began at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to end on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, has disrupted medical services across the country and heightened public concern about the state of the nation’s health system.

Resident doctors, who form the backbone of emergency wards and specialized training in Nigeria’s teaching hospitals, say they were forced to take this step after the Federal Government failed to meet their long-standing demands. This development follows the expiration of a 24-hour ultimatum, which itself came after a 10-day deadline that lapsed on September 10 without resolution.

The Strike Resolution

The decision to strike was taken after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NARD that extended into the early hours of Thursday, September 11, 2025. In a statement titled “Declaration of Strike Action” and signed by NARD’s Secretary-General, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, the group confirmed the commencement of the action and directed all centre leaderships to mobilize their members.

“This action was not taken lightly,” the communique stated. “We have given ample time and notice, but the government’s failure to act has left us with no other choice.”

Key Demands of NARD

NARD listed several unmet demands, including:

Government Response

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isaq Salako, had earlier expressed optimism that the strike could be averted, stating that discussions with NARD were making progress. He acknowledged, however, that about 40 per cent of the residency training allowance for 2025 remains unpaid.

“It is my hope that the matter will be resolved before the ultimatum expires,” Salako had said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program earlier this week.

Public Impact and Reactions

The strike is already taking a toll on patients nationwide, with many forced to seek care in private facilities at higher costs. Healthcare advocacy groups have called on the Federal Government to immediately engage NARD to avert further escalation that could lead to a full-blown indefinite strike.

This industrial action highlights recurring challenges in Nigeria’s health sector—poor funding, brain drain, and inadequate welfare for healthcare workers. Experts warn that unless systemic reforms are implemented, the cycle of strikes will continue to paralyze the country’s medical system.

Conclusion

As Nigerians await a resolution, the strike serves as a wake-up call for the government to prioritize healthcare funding and ensure timely payment of entitlements. With lives literally on the line, dialogue and action cannot be delayed any further.

Tags: Resident Doctors Strike, NARD, Nigerian Healthcare, Medical Residency Training Fund, Government Negotiations, Health Sector Crisis

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