Nigeria's Doctors Suspend Strike After Government Steps Up

Nigerian resident doctors were hours away from shutting down hospital services nationwide when government leaders stepped in with real solutions.

The National Association of Resident Doctors suspended its strike scheduled for January 12 after emergency talks with federal officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima. The doctors agreed to give the government until January 25 to deliver on promises made months earlier.

The association had ended a 29-day strike in November after signing an agreement with the government. When four weeks passed without action on salary arrears and working conditions, doctors prepared to walk out again.

This time, multiple agencies joined forces to address the concerns. The ministries of Health, Labour, and Finance all committed to specific actions, backed by the National Assembly and direct presidential involvement.

The wins are already showing up. Verified payment lists for outstanding salary arrears have been sent to the payroll system. The Ministry of Finance acknowledged receipt of documents and is working on a clear payment timeline.

At Federal Teaching Hospital in Lokoja, where tensions between doctor groups had reached a breaking point, a new reconciliation committee is now in place. Hospital leaders, ministry officials, and doctor representatives are working together to keep resident doctors at the facility and restore peace.

The government also clarified that resident doctors should enter the salary system at CONMESS 3 level. A professional allowance table has been released, with full implementation starting this month and 18 months of back pay included in the 2026 budget.

A new multi-stakeholder committee is tackling work-hour regulations and locum practice, addressing concerns about exhausted doctors working dangerously long shifts.

The Ripple Effect

When doctors strike, entire communities suffer. Clinics close, surgeries get canceled, and patients who need urgent care get turned away. This agreement means millions of Nigerians will continue receiving medical attention without interruption.

The breakthrough also shows what's possible when government agencies coordinate instead of working in silos. By bringing together Finance, Health, Labour, and the National Assembly, officials created accountability that individual ministries couldn't achieve alone.

The doctors made clear their suspension is conditional. If the government fails to deliver by January 25, the strike is back on. But the level of engagement from top officials, including vice presidential involvement, suggests this time might be different.

For now, hospital doors stay open and patients keep getting care.