Resident Doctors Suspend Nationwide Strike
Resident doctors across Nigeria will return to work on Wednesday after the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) suspended its nationwide strike, bringing an end to days of disrupted medical services.
At the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, resident doctors under the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) are expected to resume duty by 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
The President of ARD UCH, Uthman Adedeji, confirmed the development on Tuesday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.
He said the UCH chapter would fully comply with the directive issued by the national body.
NARD had earlier instructed its members across the country to embark on an indefinite strike over what it described as the Federal Government’s failure to meet key demands.
Among the issues raised by the doctors were the immediate reversal of the revised Professional Allowance, payment of outstanding promotion arrears and salary shortfalls, as well as the release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
Adedeji explained that the strike was suspended following an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, where members were directed to return to work from 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
He noted that the decision was reached after the Federal Government reversed its position on the revised professional allowance and also pledged to address other pending issues presented by the association.
According to him, no new patients will be admitted at UCH until Wednesday morning.
He said the period before resumption would be used to ensure proper handover of patients currently on admission to consultants.
He added that patients considered stable would be discharged, while new cases, including emergencies, would not be accepted until full medical services resume.
Adedeji also stated that some doctors may be allowed extra time to continue attending to critically ill patients beyond the handover period, depending on approval from the association’s leadership.
He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to patient care and called on the Federal Government to urgently resolve NARD’s demands to avoid another disruption in the health sector.
NARD had declared the indefinite strike after an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually last Saturday.
The association accused the Federal Government of attempting to halt the implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table, which formed part of the agreement reached after the 2025 industrial action.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
