The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced plans to resume its industrial action from 12 January 2026, citing the Federal Government’s failure to address long-standing welfare and professional concerns affecting its members.
The association disclosed this in an update issued after its emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on 2 January. The statement, signed by the NARD President, Mr. Muhammad Suleiman, said the strike would commence at 12.00 a.m. on Monday, 12 January.
According to the association, the decision followed persistent delays in resolving key issues affecting resident doctors across the country, despite previous engagements with relevant authorities.
As part of preparations for the action, the NEC directed all 91 NARD centres nationwide to hold congress meetings and organise press conferences to draw public attention to their demands. The association said the coordinated media engagement would run over the next seven days.
NARD also unveiled a phased protest plan, beginning with centre-based protests from 12 to 16 January, followed by regional protests to be coordinated by caucus leaders. A nationwide protest is expected to be organised by the association’s National Officers’ Committee.
The doctors listed nine minimum demands that must be fully implemented before any consideration would be given to suspending the Total Inactivity of Clinical Services (TICS) 2.0. These include the reinstatement of five doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja; payment of outstanding promotion and salary arrears; and the full implementation of the professional allowance table, with arrears captured in the 2026 budget.
Other demands include the reintroduction of the specialist allowance; resolution of salary delays affecting house officers; official clarification on skipping and entry-level placement issues by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; and the resumption and conclusion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process.
“TICS 2.0 suspension will only be considered after full implementation of the following minimum demands,” the statement said.
NARD explained that the one-week notice ahead of the resumption of the strike was designed to allow for internal consultations, sustained media engagement, and statutory notifications to security agencies, including the Department of State Services, the police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as hospital managements.
The association said it would intensify engagements in the coming days while remaining committed to the resolutions reached by its NEC.
