By Ayo Kehinde
There was relief for patients across the country on Sunday, as the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) suspended its planned nationwide strike scheduled to commence on January 12, following fresh commitments from the Federal Government and key health sector stakeholders.
The association announced the decision after a virtual emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (E-NEC), stating that the suspension will last until January 25, when it will review progress made on its demands.
In a communiqué signed by its Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD described the move as “strategic and conditional”, explaining that it was aimed at creating room to objectively assess the outcome of ongoing engagements with relevant government institutions.
“This suspension is strategic and conditional, allowing room to objectively review tangible progress at the January NEC meeting commencing January 25, 2026”, the communiqué said.
NARD said it resolved to halt the resumption of its Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0) after receiving what it described as firm commitments from critical stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and other agencies involved in health sector administration.
The association also cited the involvement of the National Assembly, the State Security Service (SSS), and direct presidential intervention led by Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu as key factors influencing its decision.
The development comes days after the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, issued an interim order restraining NARD and its members from embarking on the planned nationwide strike. The order was granted on January 9 by Justice Emmanuel Subilim following an ex parte motion filed by the Federal Government through the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The court restrained the association, its members, agents and privies from “calling, directing, organising, participating in or embarking upon any form of industrial action”, including strikes, picketing or work stoppages, pending the hearing and determination of a substantive motion fixed for January 21. The court also granted NARD liberty to apply to vary or discharge the order.
However, NARD did not reference the court order in its statement announcing the suspension of the strike.
The association had earlier announced plans to resume its TICS 2.0 from January 12, citing the Federal Government’s failure to fully implement agreements reached after its previous industrial action. NARD had suspended an earlier indefinite strike on November 29, 2025, after 29 days, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government.
Under the agreement, the government pledged to implement key demands within four weeks, but NARD later accused the authorities of missing multiple deadlines and failing to meet critical obligations.
The association stated that it would use the suspension period to closely monitor compliance with the latest assurances, warning that it would reassess its next steps should tangible progress fail to materialise by the January 25 NEC meeting.
