Doctors’ strike ultimatum still active as NMA, NARD, and NAMDA urge FG to honour longstanding agreements. Talks ongoing, but tension rises across health sector

Doctors’ strike ultimatum remains firmly in place as Nigeria’s major medical associations caution the Federal Government to act swiftly or risk a nationwide healthcare shutdown.

Also read: Nigeria Health Sector Strike Deepens Amid Nurses’, Doctors’ Crisis

Despite renewed negotiations, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has not withdrawn its 21-day warning to the government.

National President Prof. Bala Audu said the association remains open-minded but will wait for the outcome of discussions before taking further steps.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) reiterated its readiness to embark on an indefinite strike if the government fails to honour its longstanding collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which has remained largely unimplemented since 2009.

“We’re not asking for anything new or outrageous,” said Dr. Tope Osundara, NARD President. “We just want the government to abide by the agreement they signed over a decade ago.”

He added that although recent talks have offered a glimmer of hope, the association will not hesitate to take action should the commitments fall through.

The Federal Government, through the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has acknowledged the doctors’ demands as valid and has promised to form a new committee to review the outdated CBA.

But tensions remain high.

“Everyone in the health sector is under pressure,” Osundara warned. “The atmosphere is tense. We want improvement, not promises.”

Similarly, the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), led by Dr. Nosa Orhue, confirmed ongoing discussions with the government.

The academic doctors have submitted a demand for a monthly salary of ₦3 million to match their peers in international service roles under the Technical Aide Corps.

“We met with the government on Article 29, resolved a few issues, but some are pending. If progress stalls, we’ll activate the necessary steps,” Orhue said.

While all three associations—NMA, NARD, and NAMDA—acknowledged that the current administration has been more responsive than its predecessors, they maintain that dialogue without delivery will not prevent industrial action.

The threat of a doctors’ strike ultimatum comes amid growing public concern over the fragile state of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Stakeholders warn that a shutdown would severely impact already overstretched medical services across the country.

Also read: Lagos Doctors’ Strike Ends After 3 Days as Talks With Government Progress

The clock is ticking, and unless meaningful actions are taken within the ultimatum window, the health sector may witness another disruptive strike—one that could have far-reaching consequences for millions of Nigerians.