The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced that it will resume industrial action on January 12, citing the government’s continued failure to resolve key welfare and professional issues affecting its members.
The decision was reached during an emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on January 2.
In a statement signed by NARD President, Muhammad Suleiman, the association said the strike is scheduled to begin at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026.
Ahead of the planned action, the NEC directed all 91 NARD chapters across the country to convene congress meetings and subsequently hold press briefings to highlight the association’s demands to the public.
“We want 91 press conferences to saturate the spaces over the next seven days,” the statement said.
NARD also unveiled a phased protest strategy. This will start with centre-based demonstrations from January 12 to 16, followed by regionally coordinated protests led by caucus leaders, before climaxing in a nationwide protest organised by the National Officers’ Committee (NOC).
The association outlined nine minimum conditions that must be fully met before it would consider suspending its Total and Indefinite Cessation of Services (TICS 2.0).
Among the demands are the recall of five doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja; payment of outstanding promotion and salary arrears; and full implementation of the approved professional allowance structure, including arrears, in the 2026 budget.
Other issues raised include the restoration of the specialist allowance, resolution of delayed salaries for house officers, official clarification by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on skipping and entry-level concerns, and the resumption and conclusion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations.
“TICS 2.0 suspension will only be considered after full implementation of the following minimum demands,” the statement stressed.
The resident doctors explained that the one-week notice before the strike is intended to allow time for internal consultations, public engagement through the media, and mandatory notifications to security agencies such as the Department of State Services, the police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as hospital managements.
“The NOC appreciates the guidance of NEC and assures all members of full commitment to these resolutions. Engagements will be intensified in the coming days,” the statement added.
