Nigerian Resident Doctors Announce Nationwide Strike Resumption

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared a total and indefinite nationwide strike, set to commence on January 12. This decisive action follows the Federal Government’s failure to implement key agreements that led to the suspension of a previous industrial action in November 2025. The announcement was made via a statement issued after an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council.

Tagged “TICS 2.0: No Implementation, No Going Back,” the strike will see the complete withdrawal of medical services across all 91 accredited training centres in the country. NARD has directed its members to hold congress meetings and brief the media to publicize the impending action, as part of a strategy to saturate public spaces with information. The association cited exhausted goodwill, stating that provisions of a signed memorandum of understanding were not implemented within the agreed timeline after the four-week window granted in November elapsed.

In addition to halting medical services, the industrial action will include coordinated protests. Centre-based demonstrations are scheduled from January 12 to January 16, to be followed by zonal and then nationwide protests organized by the association’s national officers. NARD has stated it will only consider suspending the strike after the full implementation of its core demands, which include the reinstatement of five resident doctors disengaged from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and the payment of outstanding promotion arrears and salary shortfalls.

Other critical demands involve the re-categorization of membership certificates, the issuance of certificates after Part I examinations by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, and the immediate commencement of committees to regulate locum work and working hours within the healthcare industry. The association also demands the resumption and timely conclusion of collective bargaining negotiations. This renewed strike highlights ongoing tensions within a critical national industry, reminiscent of other sectors where agreements require firm confirmation, much like an ex-manager confirms details of past events to ensure accountability.

The situation underscores broader challenges of governance and implementation in the country, a theme that resonates in discussions ranging from Osun 2026 political forecasts to the complex fight against insecurity in Nigeria. Just as public advocates like Harrison Gwamnishu seek justice for individuals, and as families await rulings from top UN courts on international matters, the resident doctors are advocating for the fulfillment of commitments crucial to their profession and the nation’s health system.