The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared it will commence a total and indefinite nationwide strike starting January 12, 2026. This drastic action comes as a direct response to the Federal Government's failure to implement previously agreed-upon welfare packages for its members.
Strike Details and Demands
The decision was finalized during an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held on January 2. Dr Mohammed Suleiman, the association's President, confirmed the development in a statement shared on the social media platform X. The industrial action, codenamed TICS 2.0 and tagged 'No Implementation, No Going Back', is scheduled to begin at exactly 12:00 a.m. on January 12.
Dr Suleiman emphasized that the strike will only be suspended after the full implementation of the association's minimum demands. These demands are extensive and include:
- The reinstatement of the "FTH Lokoja five."
- Payment of all outstanding promotion and salary arrears.
- Full implementation of the professional allowance table, with arrears captured in the 2026 budget.
- Reintroduction and payment of the specialist allowance.
- Official clarification from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on entry level and skipping issues.
- Resolution of salary delays and arrears for house officers, with issuance of a pay advisory.
- Recategorisation of membership certificates and timely issuance by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
- Commencement of locum and work hours regulation committees.
- Resumption and timely conclusion of the collective bargaining agreement process.
Nationwide Protests and Media Strategy
Accompanying the strike will be a series of coordinated protests. Centre-based protests are scheduled from January 12 to 16, 2026, across the country's 91 NARD centres. These will be followed by regional protests, culminating in a national protest organized by the National Officers Committee.
In a strategic move to amplify their message, NARD has directed all 91 centre presidents to hold congress meetings and conduct press conferences within the next seven days. "We want 91 press conferences to saturate the spaces over the next seven days," Dr Suleiman stated, outlining an aggressive media engagement plan.
Background and Government Inaction
This impending healthcare shutdown follows a warning issued by NARD on December 28, 2025. The association had previously suspended a 29-day strike on November 29, 2025, after the government pledged to meet its demands within four weeks. That deadline has now passed with no visible progress, leading to the current escalation.
Dr Suleiman explained that the one-week window before the strike is strategic, allowing time for congress meetings, media engagement, and statutory notifications to security agencies and hospital management.
As of the time of reporting, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has not issued an official response to the strike notice. The nation now braces for another major disruption in its public healthcare services.
