Resident Doctors set to resume strike January

The National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has announced that it will resume its Total, Indefinite, and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0) starting January 12, 2026.

The association cited the Federal Government’s failure to implement previously agreed-upon terms outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as the reason for the action.
This was contained in a statement on X, signed by NARD President Dr Mohammad Suleiman, following an Emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held on Friday.

The association warned that, unless its demands are addressed, the country could experience another widespread disruption of medical services.
The industrial action has been labeled “No Implementation, No Going Back.”

The statement specified that the strike will commence at 12:00 a.m. on January 12 unless the government fulfills the pending demands.
Additionally, the NEC has directed the presidents of all 91 NARD centres nationwide to convene congress meetings and speak to the media, with a total of 91 press conferences scheduled within a week to highlight doctors’ welfare issues.
Centre-based protests are planned from January 12 to 16, with the possibility of regional and national demonstrations if the government fails to respond.

Among NARD’s demands are the reinstatement of five resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, payment of promotion and salary arrears, and the full implementation of the professional allowance table, including arrears reflected in the 2026 budget.
Other issues include specialist and house officers’ allowances, timely pay advisories, membership certification after exams, locum and work-hour regulations, and the completion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement process.
“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 concluded.