Resident Doctors Strike Shuts Down Services In federal Hospitals

Medical services across Nigeria’s federal hospitals have been paralysed following a five-day strike declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors.

The action, which began on Friday, has left patients stranded and facilities overstretched as doctors withdrew their services after government failed to meet their demands.

Hospitals such as the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, the National Hospital, and the University College Hospital, Ibadan, were overwhelmed on Friday with patients facing long queues and delays. Consultants, nurses, and other health workers struggled to cope as resident doctors, who provide the bulk of clinical services in the public health system, stayed away from duty.

The association had issued multiple ultimatums before downing tools. It first gave a 21-day notice in July 2025, later extended by 10 days, which expired on September 10. A final 24-hour deadline lapsed on Thursday, September 11, paving the way for the strike.

Their demands include payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, five months’ arrears from the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, and backlog of salaries. They are also asking for settlement of the 2024 accoutrement allowance, prompt release of specialist allowances, recognition of West African postgraduate membership certificates, and improved welfare for members in states such as Kaduna and Oyo.

At FMC Abuja, patients complained of hours of waiting. Outpatients who arrived early in the morning were still unattended to by late morning. Some could not undergo scheduled tests, while others said they had no choice but to endure the delays since they could not afford private hospitals.

The National Hospital Abuja saw a similar situation, with consultants and nurses battling to attend to growing numbers of patients. At the Family Medicine Department, patients expressed frustration over hours of waiting.

In the Federal Capital Territory, where resident doctors had already begun a separate seven-day warning strike, Wuse District Hospital and Kubwa General Hospital recorded low patient turnout. Outpatient halls were nearly empty, and several wards remained locked, with only emergency cases handled.

In Ibadan, UCH activities were disrupted as doctors boycotted work. Patients at the accident and emergency unit were turned back, while others at the general outpatient clinic were told to leave shortly after the strike commenced at 8 a.m. Hospital security confirmed that no admissions were taken from early Friday morning.

NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, said the strike became inevitable after the government failed to meet even the minimum demands within the set deadline. He added that the association’s next move would be decided at the end of the warning strike.

At UCH, the local chapter president, Dr. Gboyega Ajibola, said the strike was necessary to push the government to act on issues that had been pending for years.

With resident doctors forming the backbone of healthcare delivery in public hospitals, the strike has left patients across the country in a desperate state, uncertain of when normal services will resume.