The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) announced on Saturday that it will resume its complete nationwide strike on January 12, 2026, at midnight, citing the Federal Government’s failure to implement a previously signed agreement.
The decision follows an Emergency National Executive Council meeting held on Friday, where members resolved to restart what they’re calling “TICS 2.0” (Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike), with the theme “No Implementation, No Going Back.”
According to a statement signed by NARD President Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, the association had suspended its previous strike on November 29 after 29 days, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the government. That agreement gave authorities four weeks to address the doctors’ concerns.
However, the association says the Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Government have missed multiple deadlines for implementing the MoU, leaving them with no choice but to resume industrial action.
As part of their protest strategy, NARD has directed presidents of all 91 member centers nationwide to hold congress meetings and address the media. The association plans to organize 91 press conferences across the country within seven days to highlight doctors’ welfare issues.
Center-based protests are scheduled from January 12 to 16, followed by regional protests at the caucus leadership level, and culminating in a national protest organized by NARD’s National Officers’ Committee.
The doctors’ demands include reinstatement of five resident doctors at Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, payment of promotion and salary arrears, full implementation of the professional allowance table with arrears included in the 2026 budget, and clarification on employment entry-level issues.
Additional demands cover the reintroduction of specialist allowances, resolution of house officers’ salary delays, pay advisory issuance, re-categorization of membership certificates after Part I examinations, establishment of locum and work-hours regulation committees, and completion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement process.
NARD stated that the strike suspension will only be considered after the government fully implements their minimum demands. The association has given a one-week notice to allow for proper congress meetings, media engagement, and statutory notifications to security agencies and hospital administrations.
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