The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its five-day warning strike, barely two days after it began, and has given the Federal Government another two weeks to meet its demands.
NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, confirmed the suspension in a WhatsApp message on Saturday, directing members to resume work on Sunday.
“Some of our demands have been met, and the government has promised to look into others. We suspended the strike as a sign of goodwill to assist Nigerians seeking healthcare in our facilities,” he said.
The doctors had earlier issued several ultimatums, including a 21-day notice in July—later extended by 10 days—which expired on September 10, followed by a final 24-hour deadline before the strike began on Friday.
Their demands include immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent CONMESS review, payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance, disbursement of specialist allowances, and recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
They also urged the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue certificates to deserving candidates, implementation of the 2024 CONMESS, resolution of welfare issues in Kaduna State, and intervention in the plight of resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
In a communiqué issued after its Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, NARD said the decision was influenced by the Federal Government’s renewed commitment, including the commencement of payments for the 2025 Residency Fund.
The association, however, warned that failure by the government to act within the two-week window would trigger fresh industrial action.
It also backed the 15-day ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association’s Oyo State branch to the Oyo State Government over unresolved issues at LAUTECH, threatening solidarity action if unmet.
While consultants and other health workers struggled with heavy caseloads during the strike, patients across public hospitals faced long delays and overstretched services.
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NARD reaffirmed its readiness to work with all levels of government to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
