Resident doctors to begin nationwide strike August 10

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike starting August 10 if the federal government fails to meet its outstanding demands.

The decision was contained in a communiqué issued after the association’s Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) held in Gombe.

The communiqué, signed by NARD President Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, said members were dissatisfied with the level of implementation of previous agreements with the government.

According to the association, the proposed action will be a total and comprehensive industrial strike if their demands are not addressed before the deadline.

“The National Executive Council resolved to embark on a total and comprehensive industrial strike commencing at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, should the federal government fail to satisfactorily address the outstanding issues,” the statement read.

NARD emphasized that while it remains open to dialogue, the welfare of resident doctors and the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system cannot be compromised.

Among its key demands are the immediate payment of outstanding arrears from the 25/35 percent CONMESS upward review, 19 months of unpaid professional allowances, as well as salary and promotion arrears owed to doctors in federal health institutions.

The association also called for the swift conclusion and implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), alongside urgent action to address welfare challenges affecting house officers.

In addition, NARD urged the federal government to resolve the ongoing crisis at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), alleging persistent intimidation of resident doctors and failure to provide call-duty meals despite repeated engagements.

The doctors further demanded improved protection for healthcare workers, payment of omitted beneficiaries under the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), better healthcare infrastructure nationwide, and the recruitment of more personnel to strengthen service delivery.

NARD has repeatedly issued strike threats in recent years, citing the government’s failure to fully implement agreements reached with the association.