Public hospital doctors in Nigeria started a five-day strike following the breakdown of talks with government over pay and welfare demands. Nigerian Resident Doctors Strike
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) initiated the action on September 12, 2025 after a 24-hour ultimatum expired without satisfaction of their key demands.
The doctors say the government has not fulfilled promises including payment of outstanding salary arrears, release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and disbursement of specialist and accoutrement allowances that remain unpaid.
They also want the federal authorities to recognise certain postgraduate medical certificates and reverse a decision that downgraded membership credentials from the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons.
NARD represents about 15,000 resident doctors across Nigeria, who carry much of the burden of emergency care in public and teaching hospitals.
The strike follows prior warning periods: a ten-day deadline that ended earlier this month, and a further ultimatum that expired on September 11, 2025.
Hospitals nationwide have reduced services as resident doctors down tools in hopes of pressing the government into speedy action.
The association states that repeated negotiations failed to bring progress and that urgent steps are needed to address long-standing welfare concerns.