Doctors Call Off Month-Long Strike After Breakthrough Deal With FG

Nigeria’s strained healthcare system received a major boost on Saturday after the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) suspended its month-long nationwide strike, directing thousands of Doctors across Federal and State hospitals to return to duty immediately.

The strike, which began on November 1, 2025, had left many public hospitals functioning at skeletal capacity, deepening the pressure on consultants, worsening patient congestion, and forcing countless Nigerians—particularly in emergency cases to seek alternatives in overstretched private facilities.

The decision to suspend the industrial action followed an Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually and physically in Abuja, where union leaders reviewed the Federal Government’s new commitments and timelines for addressing doctors’ long-standing grievances.

Speaking to Global Mirror News, NARD President Dr. Mohamed Suleiman confirmed that both parties signed a detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which captured progress on several critical welfare items that triggered the strike.

“We reached an agreement and signed an MoU with the government. The NEC reviewed the timelines and concluded they were acceptable,” Suleiman said. “We have therefore suspended the strike to allow at least four weeks for the implementation of key items. All resident doctors nationwide are to resume duty immediately.”

Inside the Doctors’ Demands
At the heart of the dispute were 19 pressing demands, which NARD described as the minimum requirements for stabilizing Nigeria’s overstretched health sector and restoring dignity to medical practice. Among the major issues were:

• The non-payment of 25%/35% CONMESS upward review arrears, which the government had promised to clear by August 2025.
• Accumulated salary arrears spanning different federal tertiary hospitals.
• Outstanding promotion arrears owed to Medical Officers across the federation.
• The delayed 2024 accoutrement allowance, despite repeated assurances from the Federal Ministry of Health.
• The controversial dismissal of five Resident Doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja—an action the union labelled unjust and damaging to morale.

Suleiman noted that the unjust sackings fueled frustration among young medical workers already battling burnout, poor welfare, and the relentless wave of medical migration popularly termed the “Japa syndrome.”

Hospitals Brace for a Return to Normalcy
Health facilities Nationwide are now preparing for a gradual return to full services after 29 days of stalled operations. During the strike, patients faced long queues, postponed surgeries, cancelled clinics, and emergency units bursting beyond capacity.

Several hospital administrators told Global Mirror News that while the suspension brings relief, the next four weeks will be crucial in determining whether the agreement holds or whether the Nation will witness another round of medical disruptions.

What Happens Next?
The MoU reportedly contains specific timelines for clearing allowances, processing arrears, reviewing the dismissal cases, and fast-tracking all pending administrative approvals. NARD’s NEC has promised continuous monitoring and regular updates to members.

But Doctors say the strike has once again exposed the fragile state of Nigeria’s healthcare system and the need for sustainable investment.

For now, however, the directive is clear: Doctors are to report back to their duty posts immediately, as the Nation watches closely to see if the Government delivers on its promises.