The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has announced the suspension of its indefinite strike, which had paralyzed health services across the country for 29 days. The industrial action, which commenced on November 1, 2025, was halted following extensive discussions at an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held on Saturday.
Okay News reports that the Secretary-General of the association, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, confirmed the suspension in a telephone interview, stating that the development came after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Federal Government.
The strike involved approximately 11,000 resident doctors operating in 91 teaching hospitals nationwide. Hospitals across the country experienced significant disruptions, affecting both emergency and routine healthcare services. The doctors had protested poor working conditions, unpaid allowances, and delays in promotion and professional development.
Dr. Ibrahim explained, “The strike was suspended following the Memorandum of Understanding we signed with the Federal Government regarding the seven conditions we would consider before suspending the strike.”
The seven key conditions outlined in the agreement include: the reinstatement of the Lokoja-based doctors, release of the Professional Allowance Table, payment of promotion arrears, clearance of salary arrears in designated hospitals, implementation of an upgrade for doctors who passed Part I exams and met entry-level requirements, activation of the specialist allowance, and resolution of the Membership Certificate issue.
According to Dr. Ibrahim, two of the seven demands have already been met, including the release of the Professional Allowance Table and a directive from the Head of Service that the entry level for doctors should be CONMESS 3. The remaining five conditions are expected to be fulfilled within four weeks.
He added, “If the remaining demands are not met before the agreed timeline, we will resume the strike.”
The association has emphasized that patient care will remain paramount but warned that non-compliance by the government could trigger a return to industrial action.
