National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned it may resume a nationwide strike despite a restraining order from the National Industrial Court, insisting that the Federal Government has failed to implement key agreements reached with the union.
The warning comes amid growing dissatisfaction over the Federal Government’s alleged failure to fully implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with NARD, which is anchored on the union’s nineteen-point demands covering welfare, remuneration and professional practice.
On Friday, Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, issued an order restraining NARD and its members from proceeding with the strike earlier scheduled to commence on January 12.
The ruling followed a motion ex parte filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), after submissions by the Director of Civil Litigation at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Maimuna Lami Shiru, who led a team of ministry lawyers in moving the motion.
However, addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, President of NARD at the University of Port Harcourt, Dr. Ezinne Kalu, said resident doctors had earlier demonstrated goodwill by suspending a strike in November 2025, based on assurances from the Federal Government.
“We had suspended our strike November last year with the agreement that the MOU that is being signed by NARD was going to be implemented by the federal government. Unfortunately, it’s not been implemented,” she said.
“Hence, we reconvened via an E-NEC, which is the highest decision-making body for the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, on the 2nd of January, 2026.”
Dr. Kalu explained that the Emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) reviewed feedback from engagements with the Federal Government and assessed the level of compliance with commitments made to NARD.
The outcome of the meeting was contained in a communiqué signed by the National President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman; General Secretary, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity Secretary, Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
According to the communiqué, the council expressed grave concern over several unresolved issues, including the redeployment of five disengaged resident doctors of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, allegedly in defiance of committee recommendations.
Other issues raised include delays in processing promotions and payment of salary arrears, partial implementation of the Professional Allowance Table, lack of clarity on entry-level placements, and continued exclusion of resident doctors from Specialist Allowance payments.
The council also highlighted delayed payment of House Officers’ salaries, re-categorisation of membership certificates, slow regulation of locum engagements, prolonged working hours, stalled Collective Bargaining Agreement processes, unpaid salaries and allowances in several institutions, and unresolved arrears affecting about 40 per cent of members.
Further concerns include deteriorating hospital infrastructure, obsolete medical equipment, delays in Special Pension Benefits, and slow progress on other previously agreed demands.
NARD’s National Executive Council demanded immediate government action, including the reinstatement of the five resident doctors in Lokoja, payment of all outstanding arrears, full implementation of the Professional Allowance Table, clarification on entry-level placements, payment of Specialist Allowances, and settlement of House Officers’ salary backlogs.
The council warned that failure to address these issues would compel the union to resume its previously suspended indefinite strike from 12:00 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026.
It further directed all resident doctors in the country’s ninety-one tertiary health institutions to withdraw services completely and indefinitely until the Federal Government and affected state governments show “clear, concrete, and genuine commitment” to meeting the association’s demands.
NARD also instructed its leadership nationwide to begin coordinated peaceful protests should the Federal Government fail to take prompt action.
Despite the standoff, the council expressed appreciation to some government officials and institutions for their support, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Wilson-Jack; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo; Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Chief Wale Edun.
