Resident Doctors Suspend Planned Strike, Give Reasons
- The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned strike scheduled for January 12
- The association had threatened industrial action over unresolved issues, including unpaid promotion and salary arrears
- NARD stated that the suspension was approved by its National Executive Council after the vice president addressed some demands and requested additional time to resolve others
Legit.ng's Muslim Muhammad Yusuf is a 2025 Wole Soyinka Award-winning journalist with over 8 years of experience in investigative reporting, human rights, politics, governance and accountability in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12, following the intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The association had threatened to embark on industrial action over several unresolved issues, including the non-payment of promotion and salary arrears, amongst others.
Source: Twitter
Other demands include delays in the resumption and completion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process, the absence of a clear policy on skipping or entry levels for chief executives, and the alleged failure of the government to fully implement previous agreements.
Earlier, the National Industrial Court (NIC), sitting in Abuja, restrained NARD and two of its officials from commencing any form of strike action from January 12, 2026.
Justice E. D. Subilim granted the interim injunction in a suit marked NICN/ABJ/06/2026, filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation against the association.
NARD confirms suspension of strike
Confirming the suspension of the strike, NARD president, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, told Daily Trust that the decision followed direct engagement by the vice president, who addressed some of the doctors’ demands.
“We have suspended the planned strike action for tomorrow because of the intervention of the vice president. The vice president called and entered the matter, and a few of our issues have been sorted out,” Suleiman said.
He added that Vice President Shettima requested additional time to resolve the remaining concerns, a request that was considered and approved by the association’s National Executive Council (NEC).
“So, he has asked for more time to sort out the other issues, and the NEC has graciously given him the time,” he said.
Suleiman noted that a detailed update would be communicated to NARD members and the public in due course, stressing that the planned strike would no longer take place on Monday.
Source: UGC
FCT resident Doctors declare 7-Day warning strike
Recall that the Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT), commenced a seven-day warning strike over what it described as systemic failure.
National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) president, Dr George Ebong, confirmed the industrial action in a communique issued on Monday, September 8.
This came weeks after Nigerian nurses and midwives began a warning strike on July 29, 2025, following the government’s failure to respond to a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14.
NARD demand collective bargaining agreement
Legit.ng earlier reported that the strike by Nigerian resident doctors entered its 17th day on November 17, disrupting services in 91 hospitals nationwide.
The doctors, under the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), demanded the immediate conclusion of a Collective Bargaining Agreement and review of the outdated salary structure.
President Bola Tinubu directed the Ministry of Health to resolve the crisis, but delays continued to frustrate doctors facing rising living costs.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
