Patients and healthcare workers across Nigeria expressed relief on Tuesday following the suspension of a planned nationwide strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
At facilities such as Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Plateau State Specialist Hospital, both patients and medical staff welcomed the development, noting that the suspension helped restore normal medical services.
Before the strike was called off, services at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital remained largely uninterrupted, while operations at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) continued despite brief disruptions to outpatient care.
NARD had earlier threatened an indefinite strike over issues including unpaid salaries, allowances, and poor welfare conditions affecting its members. However, after intervention from top government officials—including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Health Minister Prof. Ali Pate, and Labour Minister Dr. Muhammad Dingyadi—the union suspended its action.
In a statement issued after a National Executive Council meeting, the association said the decision was taken in light of ongoing engagements with the government.
“The NEC, in recognition of the ongoing high-level interventions and as a demonstration of goodwill, hereby suspends the previously declared total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike action.”
The union, however, issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to address unresolved issues, warning of possible renewed industrial action if demands are not met.
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It also listed concerns such as unpaid salary arrears, delayed promotions, the non-release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, and outstanding allowances.
“The NEC shall reconvene immediately upon expiration of the ultimatum to review the level of compliance and determine further appropriate actions in the best interest of its members,” the statement added.
The association further urged the government to take “concrete, measurable, and verifiable steps” within the given timeframe.
Speaking on the development, a consultant at JUTH who requested anonymity said the absence of resident doctors significantly affects hospital operations.
“They’re the foot soldiers at the hospital, and if they’re not around, our capacity to attend to patients becomes seriously limited, except in emergency cases.”
A patient at the hospital, Mrs Tina Badungs, also expressed relief, saying, “The last time I was here, we stayed without anyone attending to us. Thank God the strike has been called off. I hope the government meets their demands so they won’t abandon their patients again.”
At JUTH, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors, Dr Garos Jakhim, confirmed that members had resumed work.
“Yes, it’s true we have called off the strike. My members in Plateau are fully supporting NARD’s efforts and have resumed work. We are happy with the result that the government listened, engaged in dialogue, and brought solutions,” she said.
At UBTH, although medical services continued, a doctor who spoke anonymously noted that the strike action followed union directives.
At Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, President of the Resident Doctors Association, Dr Ayodeji Olatayo, said the hospital had not fully joined the strike before it was suspended.
“Actually, locally, we had not really joined before the strike was suspended because we were still trying to engage with state authorities.
“Being a state government-owned institution, we buy some time to see local discussions to a conclusion before joining. There has been normal activity in the facility today.”
The suspension has brought temporary relief to patients nationwide, even as stakeholders await the Federal Government’s response to the union’s demands.