…the doctors are protesting a range of issues including dilapidated hospital infrastructure, persistent power outages.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared a nationwide strike, beginning Friday, September 12, 2025, in protest against worsening working conditions and unaddressed demands.
The strike, described as a five-day warning action, will affect public health institutions across the country and is scheduled to run until Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Agbor Affiong, the General Secretary of the Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), the doctors said the decision to down tools followed a marathon emergency meeting of NARD’s National Executive Council (E-NEC) held virtually on Wednesday, September 10, and concluded in the early hours of Thursday, September 11.
“Arising from the NARD E-NEC meeting held on Wednesday, the 10th of September, 2025, which extended into the early hours of Thursday, the 11th of September, 2025, the NEC members unanimously resolved to embark on a five-day warning strike,” the statement read.
According to the circular, the strike will commence by 8:00 a.m. on Friday and all medical centres under NARD’s jurisdiction are directed to notify hospital managements and prepare for full compliance.
The doctors are protesting a range of issues including dilapidated hospital infrastructure, persistent power outages in health facilities, poor remuneration, a shortage of essential equipment, and what they describe as the “unacceptable downgrading of qualifications.”
This national action coincides with a separate seven-day warning strike declared earlier by the FCT chapter of the association.
“This is a last-resort measure,” said one resident doctor who spoke to The iNews Times under anonymity. “We cannot continue to operate under conditions that endanger both doctors and patients.”
As of press time, no formal response has been issued by the Federal Ministry of Health or the relevant state authorities. However, the strike threatens to paralyze services in government-owned hospitals nationwide, potentially compounding the burden on Nigeria’s already stretched healthcare system.
The doctors say the strike will remain a warning salvo unless urgent and visible steps are taken to address their grievances.
