Nigerian Resident Doctors Set to Resume Nationwide Strike Amidst Unresolved Welfare Demands
Abuja, Nigeria – The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced its intention to recommence a total, indefinite, and complete strike action effective January 12, 2026. This decision follows resolutions adopted during an Emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Friday. The association also signalled plans for widespread nationwide protests, including centre-based demonstrations at various hospitals, to highlight persistent issues concerning doctors’ welfare that remain unaddressed.
NARD conveyed this update through a statement disseminated via the social media platform X, bearing the signature of its President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman. This development comes on the heels of prior warnings issued by the doctors last week, cautioning the nation of an impending nationwide shutdown of medical services. The potential strike action is attributed to the Federal Government’s alleged failure to honour a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously agreed upon with NARD.
According to the association, the impending strike is an unavoidable consequence of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government’s continued disregard for multiple deadlines set for the implementation of the MoU signed with resident doctors. It is important to recall that NARD had previously suspended its indefinite strike on November 29, after a prolonged industrial action of 29 days, which was contingent upon the signing of the aforementioned MoU with the government. This agreement stipulated that the government would address NARD’s demands within a four-week timeframe.
The renewed industrial action, which has been emphatically labelled “No Implementation, No Going Back,” is scheduled to commence on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 12:00 AM. The association reiterated that this action will proceed unless the government meets its outstanding demands in full.
As part of the preparatory measures for this renewed industrial action, the NEC has issued a directive to the presidents of all 91 NARD centres across the country. These centre presidents are mandated to convene congress meetings within their respective institutions, followed by press conferences to address the media regarding the current situation and the association’s resolve.
The National Officers’ Committee (NOC) expressed its appreciation for the patience, resilience, and unwavering support demonstrated by its members throughout their collective struggle for improved doctors’ welfare. The statement from the E-NEC meeting detailed the following key resolutions:
- The NEC resolved to resume the Total, Indefinite, and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0), branded as “No Implementation, No Going Back,” with effect from January 12, 2025, commencing at 12:00 AM.
- Furthermore, the NEC has mandated every centre president from the 91 NARD centres to conduct congress meetings and subsequently hold press conferences.
Beyond the strike, NARD also announced that centre-based protests will be organised and executed across hospitals nationwide from January 12 to January 16, 2026. The planned sequence of actions is as follows:
- Resumption of TICS 2.0 on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 12:00 AM.
- Centre-based protests will be conducted from January 12 to January 16, 2026.
- Following the centre-based protests, regional protests will be initiated at the level of the caucus leaders.
- The NARD NOC has also been directed to organise a national protest.
NARD clarified that any consideration for suspending the TICS 2.0 action would only be entertained subsequent to the complete and satisfactory implementation of its minimum demands. These core demands encompass a range of critical issues affecting the professional lives and remuneration of resident doctors:
Key Demands of NARD:
- Reinstatement of Doctors: The immediate reinstatement of five resident doctors who were reportedly dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.
- Payment of Arrears: The prompt payment of outstanding promotion and salary arrears owed to resident doctors.
- Professional Allowance: The full implementation of the professional allowance table, with all associated arrears to be captured in the 2026 budget.
- Clarification on Skipping and Entry-Level: Official clarification from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare regarding issues pertaining to salary skipping and entry-level placements.
- Reintroduction of Specialist Allowance: The reintroduction and subsequent implementation of the specialist allowance.
- House Officers’ Salaries: Resolution of persistent delays and arrears in the payment of salaries for house officers, along with the issuance of a pay advisory.
- Postgraduate College Matters: The re-categorisation of doctors and the issuance of membership certificates following the completion of Part I examinations by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
- Locum and Work-Hours Regulation: The establishment and commencement of committees dedicated to regulating locum services and work hours.
- Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA): The resumption and timely conclusion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement process.
NARD underscored that the one-week period preceding the resumption of industrial action serves a crucial purpose. It is intended to allow for the meticulous organisation of congress meetings, effective media engagement, and the necessary statutory notifications to relevant security agencies, including the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as hospital managements.
The NOC reiterated its commitment to the resolutions passed by the NEC and assured all members of its full dedication to achieving these objectives. Intensified engagements with the government are anticipated in the coming days as NARD seeks to secure a positive resolution to its long-standing welfare concerns.
