The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, has accused the Federal Government of failing to pay healthcare workers across the country over ₦38 billion in outstanding allowances. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Suleiman explained that this revelation came after the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which followed the expiration of its 30-day ultimatum to the government.
According to him, resident doctors have now begun taking preparatory steps for a total and indefinite strike scheduled to commence on Saturday, November 1, 2025. These steps include conducting final ward rounds and transferring patient care, as the association insists it will no longer tolerate the government’s continued neglect of their welfare.
Dr. Suleiman highlighted that many of the unpaid allowances have lingered for various periods — with some remaining unsettled for over two years, while others have been pending for 18, 8, 7, or 4 months. He also noted that certain allowance discrepancies date back more than 10 years, reflecting a long history of irregularities in the payment structure for healthcare workers.
He lamented that despite repeated appeals and negotiations, there has been no tangible progress in addressing these issues. He further decried the fact that doctors in Nigeria have not seen any review of their basic salaries in the last 16 years, a situation he described as both unacceptable and demoralizing, especially in the face of economic hardship, inflation, and the high cost of living.
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Suleiman stressed that the government’s inaction has pushed healthcare professionals to the brink of frustration, warning that the planned strike will have serious consequences for the nation’s already fragile health system. He urged the authorities to act swiftly to meet NARD’s demands and avert a nationwide health crisis.
He concluded by reaffirming NARD’s commitment to defending the rights and welfare of its members while calling for immediate intervention to prevent the total collapse of public hospital services once the strike begins.
