The National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has directed its national officers committee, to declared a “total, comprehensive and indefinite” nationwide strike.

The decision was made after a five-hour extraordinary meeting on Sunday.

The NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, in a statement on Sunday, said the strike action would commence by 11:59 p.m., on Friday.

Mr Suleiman said, “Today, after a five-hour extraordinary national executive council meeting, the members of NEC issued new marching orders to us once again.

“The NEC has unanimously directed us to declare a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action to commence on Friday, October 31, 2025 at 11:59pm. We have reported to NEC and NEC has decided. The NOC will carry out this directive to its latter and in full compliance.

“The NEC has marshaled out minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, no work no pay/no pay no work resolutions and all such other modalities and weapons needed for a successful execution of this action.”

According to NARD, the NEC also directed centre presidents and general secretaries to call emergency congress meetings to brief members on the details.

Pledging to resist the “very evil and exploitative plans” by some governmental and non-governmental elements, NARD urged members use the remaining four days to hand over patients, engage with traditional, religious, community leaders, the public and the media, pray for the country and hold their respective congresses in compliance with NEC directives.

The mass action also followed the expiration of the 30-day ultimatum the resident doctors gave the Federal Government during the NARD’s 45th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Katsina State held from September 21 to 26, 2025.

NARD is asking the Federal Government to meet its demands, including the payment of salary arrears, promotion entitlements, and reinstatement of sacked colleagues.