The healthcare landscape in Nigeria is once again under scrutiny as the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) announces it will review its decision to suspend a nationwide strike within the next two weeks, raising fresh concerns about the delivery of medical services and the unresolved welfare issues in the sector.
Background: A Healthcare Crisis in Motion
Late 2025 saw a dramatic escalation in industrial action by resident doctors across Nigeria. In response to what they described as the Federal Government’s failure to fully implement a 19-point agreement on welfare, allowances, and working conditions, NARD launched an indefinite nationwide strike beginning November 1, 2025.
Although this strike was later suspended after negotiations, the underlying issues remain unresolved. Resident doctors have repeatedly cited poor remuneration, inadequate facilities, delayed promotions, salary arrears, and a lack of clear policy direction as core grievances that threaten the viability of healthcare delivery in teaching hospitals and tertiary facilities nationwide.
The Two-Week Review: What It Means
In a recent statement, Dr. Emmanuel Idoko, President-Elect of NARD, confirmed that the association intends to reassess the suspension of its strike after two weeks. The decision reflects ongoing dissatisfaction with the pace of government action on the agreed issues and a cautious approach to formal industrial action.
Dr. Idoko emphasised that the suspension isn’t a complete withdrawal of the strike threat but rather a temporary pause to allow further negotiations and compliance by relevant government ministries. The review will determine whether tangible progress has been made — and whether further strike action is necessary.
This position comes as NARD leadership continues to push for sustained engagement with federal authorities, particularly as Nigeria’s health system grapples with chronic under-resourcing and staffing challenges.
What Led to the Suspension in the First Place?
The suspension of the initial nationwide strike came after high-level negotiations that involved not only NARD but also government stakeholders. The intervention of the Vice President and commitments from ministries responsible for health, labour, finance, and civil service procedures played a key role in bringing the association to the negotiating table.
Although progress was reported — including the formation of committees and steps toward paying arrears and allowances — many doctors still feel the pace of implementation is too slow or lacking in clarity.
Implications for Patients and the Health Sector
The healthcare system in Nigeria heavily relies on resident doctors, who constitute a significant portion of the workforce in teaching hospitals, federal medical centres, and specialised institutions. Past strikes have led to disruptions in patient care, delayed surgeries, and a backlog of clinical services that have affected thousands of patients and families.
A renewed or extended strike could once again bring essential services to a halt — impacting emergency care, outpatient services, specialist consultations, and surgical procedures that many Nigerians depend on daily.
Stakeholder Responses and Government Engagement
Government representatives have repeatedly assured that many of the issues raised by NARD are being addressed through joint committees and ongoing dialogue. However, the perception among many resident doctors is that implementation has been either slow or incomplete, leading to persistent frustration and a belief that dialogue must produce real, measurable outcomes — not just commitments.
The coming two-week period has therefore been framed by NARD as a critical window to assess the government’s actions and determine whether the healthcare workforce’s concerns are being taken seriously and acted upon.
