ABUJA — The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced the suspension of its 29-day indefinite strike but cautioned that the action will be reinstated if the government fails to implement all outstanding agreements within the agreed timeline.
The decision to suspend the strike was made during an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held on Saturday. According to NARD Secretary-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, two out of the seven critical conditions laid out in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government have already been met. Notably, the “Professional Allowance Table” has been released, and a directive was issued to ensure that doctors are entered into service pay scales at CONMESS grade level 3.
NARD President Mohammad Suleiman described the strike as a reluctant but necessary measure after earlier efforts to compel the government to honour prior agreements had failed. The strike began on November 1, 2025, following expiration of a 30-day ultimatum given to the government.
While NARD says the truce reflects “good faith,” the association issued a stern warning: if the remaining demands — including payment of arrears, release of specialist and promotion allowances, and reinstatement of dismissed doctors — are not met within four weeks, the indefinite strike will be recommenced.
The nationwide strike had paralysed operations in federal and state teaching hospitals, exacerbating health-care access challenges for millions of Nigerians. The suspension is expected to restore some functionality to public hospitals, though doctors and patients alike remain wary, given the track record of unfulfilled promises.
Dalena Reporters will keep tracking government compliance with the MoU and possible return to strike if conditions are unmet.