The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared a five-day nationwide warning strike, raising fresh fears of a shutdown in public hospitals across Nigeria.
According to a statement released on Thursday by Agbor Affiong, General Secretary of the FCT Administration branch, the strike will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, 12 September 2025, and end on Tuesday, 16 September 2025.
The decision followed an emergency online National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held by NARD on Wednesday, which continued into the early hours of Thursday. The association said all centres have been directed to inform hospital management and ensure compliance.
NARD President, Dr. Osundara Zenith, had earlier disclosed that members were prepared to halt services nationwide over unresolved grievances, including poor working conditions, erratic power supply in hospitals, the downgrading of certificates, inadequate remuneration, and a worsening shortage of medical staff.
The strike declaration comes even as the FCT chapter of the association is already observing its own seven-day warning strike, which began on Monday. The overlapping actions are expected to intensify pressure on the Federal Government to address the demands.
Nigeria’s health sector has long grappled with industrial disputes, with frequent strikes by doctors and health workers disrupting services and straining patients who rely on public facilities. Analysts warn that another nationwide shutdown could have dire consequences for emergency and specialist care.
Government officials have yet to issue a formal response to the latest strike notice, but observers say the coming days will be crucial in determining whether dialogue or confrontation will dominate the country’s fragile healthcare landscape.
