The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its month-long nationwide industrial action, bringing immediate relief to Nigeria’s struggling healthcare system. The indefinite strike, which began on November 1, 2025, and saw over 11,000 resident doctors withdraw services across 91 teaching hospitals, was halted on Saturday, November 29, 2025, following the signing of a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government.
This suspension is a temporary truce, not a final victory. The doctors have issued a firm four-week ultimatum for the government to implement the outstanding agreements, signaling a volatile, high-stakes period for healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The Cost of a 29-Day Shutdown
For nearly a month, the healthcare sector was paralyzed, impacting patient care nationwide. The primary reasons for the strike, as articulated by NARD, center on chronic issues of poor working conditions, non-payment of allowances, and the devastating effects of brain drain on an overburdened workforce.
Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD’s Secretary-General, confirmed the suspension, noting that the decision hinged on seven key conditions agreed upon in the MoU.
Breakthrough: Key Demands Met (and What Remains)
According to NARD, significant progress was achieved on their long-standing 19-point demands, with two key conditions immediately fulfilled:
Professional Allowance Table (PAT) Released: The new allowance structure has been officially released.
Upgraded Entry Level: The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has directed that the entry-level for doctors who pass their Part I exams be elevated to CONMESS 3, resolving a crucial career progression issue.
However, the majority of the demands and the most critical for ensuring doctor welfare are still pending implementation.
The Four-Week Implementation Deadline
NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, emphasized that the decision to suspend the strike was a gesture of goodwill to allow the government time to monitor implementation. He stressed that the four-week ultimatum began on Monday, December 1, 2025, and is a critical countdown for the government.
The outstanding, high-priority issues that must be addressed within this window include:
Payment of Arrears: Clearing all outstanding Promotion Arrears and Salary Arrears for doctors in specific hospitals.
Specialist Allowance: Implementation of the Specialist Allowance based on the clear directive issued by the OHCSF.
Lokoja 5 Reinstatement: Full implementation of the committee’s recommendation to reabsorb the dismissed resident doctors in Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Lokoja within two weeks.
Accoutrement and Percentage Payments: Completing processes for the payment of the 25% and 35% upward-reviewed salary arrears, and the settlement of the Accoutrement Allowance.
Working Condition Reforms: Implementation of an advisory limiting call duties and ensuring necessary breaks, alongside the work of committees tasked with regulating locum practices and work hours.
A Fragile Peace
This suspension provides a much-needed breathing room for the nation’s public hospitals to return to full capacity and tackle the backlog of patients.
However, the resolution is tenuous. Dr. Suleiman’s warning remains clear: “Failure to ensure the full implementation… will mean the lifting of the suspension on the strike action… and the resumption of [Total, Indefinite, and Comprehensive Strike] TICS.”
The next four weeks will be a crucial test of the Federal Government’s commitment to prioritizing medical practitioners’ welfare and preventing another catastrophic shutdown of essential healthcare services. The stability of Nigeria’s health sector now hangs on the timely and faithful execution of the signed agreement.