Danjuma Amodu | January 10, 2026
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) on Friday issued an emergency injunction halting the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) from proceeding with its planned nationwide strike slated to begin Monday, January 12, 2026.
Justice E.D. Subilim ordered NARD, its president Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, and Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim refrains from calling, organizing, or participating in any form of industrial action, including strikes, picketing or preparatory steps until the court hears the substantive motion on January 21, 2026.
The injunction followed a suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Federal Government (NICN/ABJ/06/2026), which argued that the strike would severely disrupt healthcare services nationwide.
Acting on the affidavits of urgency and submissions from Director of Civil Litigation Mrs. Maimuna Lami Shiru, the court granted the ex parte order and directed that it be served on NARD within seven days, allowing the association to apply to discharge or vary it.
The dispute stems from November 2025, when NARD suspended a 29-day indefinite strike after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government promising to implement key demands within four weeks, including reinstatement of five resident doctors dismissed from Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, payment of promotion and salary arrears, and inclusion of professional allowances in the 2026 budget. NARD alleges the government failed to meet those deadlines, prompting its National Executive Council to vote on January 2, 2026, to resume industrial action starting January 12 branded “TICS 2.0” (Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike).
However, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Iziaq Adekunle Salako, speaking on AIT Tuesday, acknowledged the tension but attributed it to structural and policy constraints rather than neglect.
“The ongoing standoff is driven by structural and policy issues, not by lack of intent to resolve matters,” he said, urging calm and continued dialogue. He noted NARD’s demands have narrowed from 19 to nine, indicating progress, but cautioned that specialist allowances sought by residents cannot be granted without violating civil service rules and advice from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Salako also highlighted the Tinubu administration’s commitment to health worker welfare, pointing to nearly N90 billion approved annually for professional allowances, covering call duty, shift duty, non-clinical duty and rural posting following joint negotiations with all health worker groups. Regarding the five dismissed doctors, a ministerial review committee recommended reinstatement for two, reprimand for two, and a fresh hearing for one aligning with due process.
Despite the court order, NARD leadership has signalled defiance.
In a Saturday statement, Dr. Suleiman said the strike may proceed unless the National Executive Council decides otherwise, setting the stage for potential escalation.
The matter is set for hearing on January 21, 2026, with NARD given seven days to respond to the injunction.
The Federal Government has called for restraint, stressing that uninterrupted healthcare delivery remains critical amid rising patient needs and fragile infrastructure.
