Nigerian Resident Doctors Begin Indefinite Nationwide Strike Amid Funding Dispute
Nigerians have been urged to brace for major disruptions in the country’s healthcare system as resident doctors under the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have commenced an indefinite strike. The announcement was made on Saturday, November 1, 2025, by the association’s president, who explained that the decision followed the government’s failure to address long-standing issues affecting doctors and healthcare workers.
According to the association, an earlier warning strike was expected to prompt swift government intervention, but little progress has been made. As a result, doctors across tertiary and general hospitals have now withdrawn their services indefinitely, with no timeline for when the strike may end. The association warned that the action could last months, or even years, if the issues remain unresolved.
The Federal Government had earlier released a statement claiming that ₦11.9 billion was allocated to meet the demands of healthcare workers. However, the president of NARD publicly refuted this, clarifying that only ₦500 million of that amount was directed toward doctors. He described the allocation as insufficient, especially considering doctors have allegedly been owed salaries for years, with pending promotions yet to be implemented. With thousands of resident doctors across the country, the association says the amount falls drastically short of what is required to stabilise the system.
The impact of the strike is already being felt nationwide, as many Nigerians remain unaware that hospitals are operating without resident doctors. Most tertiary and general hospitals have halted critical services, leaving patients stranded and increasing the burden on the already overstretched healthcare system.
Healthcare advocates are calling on Nigerians to help raise awareness. They stress that amplifying the issue is crucial, noting that a well-supported healthcare workforce is key to providing quality medical care for citizens. Social media users are being encouraged to share verified information, speak out, and support healthcare workers in their fight for improved working conditions.
As the strike continues, the hope remains that the government will take urgent steps to address the grievances and restore normalcy to healthcare delivery across the country.
