Resident Doctors Reject Injunction, Demand Action
By STELLA JOHNSON OGBOVOVEH
NARD Defies Court Order, Demands Immediate Action on Welfare Agreements
THE Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to resume its suspended nationwide strike, insisting that a court injunction will not override unresolved welfare and professional concerns outlined in an agreement with the Federal Government.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court had ordered NARD and its members to refrain from any industrial action pending further hearing, following a suit filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation.
Despite the ruling, NARD leaders argue that the government failed to honour the Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2025, prompting renewed mobilisation.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, NARD Uniport President, Dr. Ezinne Kalu, said the union’s highest decision-making body met on 2 January and resolved that the government had not demonstrated genuine commitment to the agreement.
Among the unresolved issues are unpaid promotion and salary arrears, incomplete implementation of the Professional Allowance Table, delayed House Officers’ salaries, non-payment of Specialist Allowances, and the controversial redeployment of five resident doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.
The National Executive Council warned that unless concrete steps are taken immediately, resident doctors nationwide would withdraw services indefinitely from 12 January 2026 and begin coordinated peaceful protests.
While acknowledging support from some government officials and legislative leaders, NARD stressed that assurances without implementation would no longer be acceptable.
