The Nigerian healthcare sector has been thrown into fresh turmoil as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) declared an indefinite strike on Saturday, November 1, 2025. The association accuses the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing to honour its promises, describing government’s attitude toward the welfare of medical professionals as “careless and disappointing.”
In a statement signed by NARD President Dr. Dele Abdullahi, the union stated that the industrial action followed the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government in October. The doctors said they had exhausted all dialogue channels and were left with no choice but to withdraw their services nationwide.
“We have been patient long enough. The government has ignored all peaceful appeals and failed to meet our demands. We are not demanding luxury, only what is necessary for doctors to survive and for hospitals to function,” the statement read.
Key Issues Behind the Strike
According to Sahara Reporters, the doctors listed several grievances that pushed them to the edge. These include:
- Non-payment of arrears and allowances — Many resident doctors across teaching hospitals have reportedly not received full payment of their salary arrears, hazard allowances, and other agreed benefits.
- Poor working conditions — Most public hospitals are struggling with inadequate facilities, power shortages, and obsolete medical equipment.
- Shortage of staff — The mass exodus of doctors seeking greener pastures abroad has left Nigeria’s healthcare system critically understaffed.
- Unfulfilled government promises — Previous agreements signed between the association and the Ministry of Health, including recruitment drives and salary adjustments, have not been implemented.
The association stressed that its action is not politically motivated but a moral duty to protect the healthcare system from collapse.
“This strike is not about politics. It is about survival — for doctors and for patients who deserve a functioning healthcare system,” Dr. Abdullahi insisted.
Impact on Health Services
The strike, which took effect immediately, has disrupted medical services across major teaching hospitals and federal medical centres. Outpatient clinics have been shut down, elective surgeries postponed, and emergency units are only operating skeletal services.
Patients and relatives were seen stranded in several hospitals, including the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, and the National Hospital Abuja. Many expressed frustration that the government had allowed the crisis to reach this level.
Mrs. Chinyere Okonkwo, whose son has been undergoing treatment for sickle cell anemia at LUTH, told Sahara Reporters that the strike could put lives at risk.
“My son was due for a blood transfusion today, but the doctors said they have joined the strike. I don’t even know where to go now. Government should please settle this matter quickly.”
Government Reaction
The Federal Ministry of Health, in its early response, appealed to NARD to reconsider its decision and return to the negotiation table. A spokesperson for the ministry, Mrs. Ngozi Onuoha, said the government “remains committed” to addressing the doctors’ concerns, but urged for patience as “budgetary constraints” have slowed down the implementation of some agreements.
However, NARD leadership dismissed the plea, saying they have “heard the same promises repeatedly without results.” The group warned that the strike will continue until tangible action is taken, not just press statements.
Public Reactions and Widespread Concern
The announcement has triggered heated debate on social media, with many Nigerians sympathising with the doctors. The hashtags #DoctorsStrike and #FixOurHealthSystem trended on X (formerly Twitter) as citizens shared stories of hospital neglect and the dangers of poor healthcare funding.
Some public health advocates also weighed in, warning that prolonged strikes could increase mortality rates, especially among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly.
Meanwhile, critics of the government say the latest strike exposes the administration’s misplaced priorities, arguing that healthcare should not be politicised.
A Symptom of a Larger Crisis
Nigeria has faced multiple rounds of industrial actions by health workers in recent years. Analysts say the recurring strikes stem from deep-rooted structural problems — from underfunding and brain drain to bureaucratic delays and corruption.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria has one of the worst doctor-to-patient ratios in the world, with just one doctor for every 5,000 citizens. Thousands of doctors have left the country for better opportunities in the UK, Canada, and the Middle East, leaving hospitals overwhelmed.
Health economist Dr. Charles Akintola told Sahara Reporters that the government must act urgently to prevent total collapse.
“The government cannot continue to pay lip service to health reform. When doctors leave, they take skills that are not easily replaced. The long-term cost to the nation is enormous.”
Call for Resolution
As the strike enters its first day, hopes remain that both sides will reach a peaceful resolution soon. Civil society organisations, labour unions, and patient advocacy groups have appealed to the presidency to step in and personally oversee negotiations.
The NARD insists that only concrete action — not promises — will bring them back to work. Until then, Nigerians may continue to face the grim reality of an overstretched and underfunded healthcare system.
Conclusion
The ongoing strike by Nigerian resident doctors is not merely an industrial dispute; it is a reflection of the deep cracks within Nigeria’s healthcare system. Unless urgent measures are taken to address doctors’ welfare and improve hospital infrastructure, the system risks further deterioration — with ordinary ci
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