Activities at public hospitals and other healthcare facilities have been paralysed, as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors NARD in the early hours of today, Friday, September 12, 2025 announced the commencement a five-day warning strike.

The strike, which began early today, followed the expiration of its fresh ultimatum to the Federal Government over unpaid allowances, salary arrears, and other unresolved welfare issues.

Our Correspondent reports that patients on appointment who reported at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital LASUTH, located in Ikeja as early as 6am were asked to go back home as members of the NARD had commenced a five-day warning strike in the early hours of today.

Recall that the NARD members constitute the backbone of the country’s public health system, as they provide a larger chunk of clinical services in all federal and state hospitals and other related facilities.

This implies any withdrawal of service by the association usually paralyses healthcare delivery, leaving patients stranded and hospitals overstretched.

The association announced the industrial action after what it described as ‘government inaction on long-standing demands’.

According to a message entitled “Declaration of strike action” and signed by NARD Secretary-General, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, on Friday, the association confirmed the commencement of the strike.

The message reads in part: “Good morning, NEC Members, thank you all for your continued cooperation and understanding. As clearly stated in our earlier communique, the strike is scheduled to commence at 8:00 am today (Friday).

“All Centre leadership is expected to guide their members accordingly. Further updates will be communicated to NEC members in due course.”

Some of the grievances of the doctors include the non-disbursement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of five months’ arrears from the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, and outstanding specialist and hazard allowances.

NARD said the decision followed a six-hour virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, after the expiration of its ultimatum to the government — a 21-day deadline issued in July 2025, which was extended by 10 days, which lapsed on September 10.

The doctors then gave the government a final 24 hours, which expired on Thursday, September 11.

The E-NEC meeting expressed disappointment that, despite these repeated extensions, the Federal Government had still failed to address critical welfare issues, leaving the association with no choice but to proceed with industrial action.