Strike Paused As FG, VP Step In To Avert Health Crisis
By STELLA JOHNSON OGBOVOVEH
Resident Doctors Pull Back from Strike After High-Level Interventions
THE Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike, originally scheduled to commence on Monday 12 January, citing renewed commitments from the federal government and intensified engagement with key health-sector stakeholders.
The decision followed an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (E-NEC) held on Sunday. According to NARD, the suspension will remain in effect until 25 January 2026, when the association is expected to reassess government compliance with its demands.
A Strategic and Conditional Pause
In a communique signed by NARD’s Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, the association described the suspension as “strategic and conditional,” stressing that it was not a withdrawal of its grievances but a temporary pause to allow measurable progress.
The association said it resolved to halt the resumption of its Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0) after receiving what it termed “firm commitments” from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Ministry of Finance, and other relevant agencies.
NARD also cited the involvement of the National Assembly, the State Security Service, and direct presidential intervention led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, as key factors in its decision.
Court Order Looms Over Strike Threat
The suspension comes amid legal pressure, following an interim order issued on 9 January by the National Industrial Court in Abuja restraining NARD from embarking on the planned strike.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim granted the order after an ex parte application filed by the federal government and the Attorney-General of the Federation. The court barred NARD from organising or participating in any form of industrial action pending the hearing of a substantive motion fixed for 21 January.
Notably, NARD’s statement announcing the suspension did not reference the court order, instead emphasising ongoing negotiations and political interventions.
Lingering Disputes and Partial Progress
NARD had earlier threatened to resume its strike after accusing the government of failing to implement agreements reached following the suspension of a 29-day strike in November 2025. That agreement included commitments to address salary arrears, allowances and working conditions within four weeks.
On the crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, the association said a previously constituted committee’s report had been implemented, with a new reconciliation committee set up to stabilise operations and resolve disputes between resident doctors and consultants.
The association also confirmed progress on outstanding CONMESS salary arrears, professional allowances, promotion arrears and specialist allowances, while noting that most payments remain pending.
Review Date Set
Despite acknowledging progress, NARD insisted that its patience has limits. The association said it would reconvene on 25 January to evaluate tangible outcomes and decide its next steps.
