Wahala Don Happen Oo! Resident Doctors Suspend Strike After Talks With FG, But Say Matter Never Finish

Wahala don happen for Nigeria’s health sector as the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike earlier fixed for Monday, January 12, 2026. The decision followed fresh engagements with the Federal Government, with the North-Central caucus of the association announcing the suspension in the interest of patients while discussions continue. However, caucus leader, Dr Fanen Dogoh, stressed that the issues that led to the strike threat remain unresolved. The doctors had planned industrial action over the government’s failure to honour a Memorandum of Understanding with NARD. Key demands include the reinstatement of doctors sacked from Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, over union activities, and payment of outstanding salaries and allowances, including 18 months’ arrears owed in institutions such as FTH Makurdi and UITH Ilorin. Other grievances include delayed entry salaries, unpaid promotion arrears and non-implementation of reviewed professional allowances. The association warned it may resume the strike if concrete action is not taken.

Why Did a Nigerian Court Stop Resident Doctors’ Planned Nationwide Strike—Is the Tinubu Government Using Legal Power to Silence Protests Over Salaries, Welfare, and Broken Agreements?

Is the Nigerian government turning to the courts to prevent another healthcare shutdown—and what does it mean for doctors’ rights to protest? The National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued an interim injunction restraining the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and its members from embarking on any form of industrial action across the country.

The order, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim, followed an ex parte application filed by the Federal Government through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The court barred resident doctors from calling, organizing, directing, or participating in strikes, work stoppages, go-slows, picketing, or any other actions capable of disrupting healthcare services nationwide.

In addition, the court prohibited NARD from taking any steps preparatory to industrial action with effect from January 12, 2026, ruling that the injunction would remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, scheduled for January 21, 2026.

The ruling comes just days after the association threatened a nationwide strike over unresolved grievances related to welfare, salaries, and working conditions. NARD accused the Bola Tinubu-led administration of failing to honor previous agreements, stating that signed memoranda had been “totally neglected, altered or half implemented,” while earlier gains had been “overtaken by events of the government’s own making.”

The association maintained that it had exhausted all avenues of dialogue, saying it had engaged respectfully, called attention to the issues, sought advice, and appealed for implementation—yet received no meaningful response. Defending its members against public criticism, NARD rejected portrayals of resident doctors as unpatriotic agitators, insisting that doctors have not committed any wrongdoing by demanding better conditions for healthcare workers who form “the backbone of service delivery in Nigeria.”

In a strongly worded statement, the group argued that its members were “experienced enough to understand that merit doesn’t fetch a lot in Nigeria” and “militant enough to agitate for our legitimate rights, including signed and agreed MoUs.”

While the government’s legal move is aimed at preventing disruptions in essential medical services, it raises pressing questions: Is the court order protecting patients—or curtailing workers’ rights to protest unfair conditions? Can judicial intervention resolve deep-rooted problems in Nigeria’s healthcare system, or will it merely postpone a larger confrontation? As the case returns to court later in January, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether dialogue replaces confrontation—or whether tensions between the government and resident doctors escalate further.

COURT RESTRAINS RESIDENT DOCTORS FROM EMBARKING ON STRIKE

The national industrial court Abuja division has restrained all members and agents of the national association of resident doctors from calling, directing, organizing, participating in, and embarking upon any form of industrial action.

Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim gave the order in an interim injunction filed by the federal government through the office of the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice.

The court temporally barred members of the association from embarking on any form of strike, work stoppages, go-slows, picketing, or any other form of industrial protest or disruption.

The association is equally restrained from taking steps preparatory to any form of industrial action from the 12th day of january, 2026.
The interim order remains in force pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice fixed for the january 21, 2026.

The association had earlier threatened to commence strike on monday, january 12, 2026.

NARD Holds Emergency Meeting as Nationwide Doctors’ Strike Looms Over Unfulfilled Agreements

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) convened an Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to determine the next steps amid ongoing disputes with the Federal Government over unimplemented agreements. The association warned of a potential nationwide industrial action, dubbed “TICS 2.0,” citing neglected MoUs, worsening working conditions, and frustration with government inaction. NARD stressed that industrial action is a last resort and urged prayers for guidance while emphasizing the critical role resident doctors play in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Nigerian Resident Doctors Threaten Fresh Indefinite Strike, Accuse Tinubu Government of Ignoring MoU

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned of a possible nationwide indefinite strike due to the Federal Government’s failure to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed after a previous 29-day strike. NARD Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim highlighted persistent delays, unfulfilled commitments, and broken timelines by the Federal Ministry of Health, stressing that resident doctors form the backbone of tertiary healthcare. The association appealed to medical elders and national leaders to intervene and prevent another shutdown that could disrupt healthcare delivery across Nigeria.

JUST IN: The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has suspended its 29-day nationwide strike after the Federal Government met part of its demands.

However, the union warned that it would resume industrial action if the remaining conditions are not fulfilled within the agreed timeline.

Resident Doctors Suspend Strike After Signing MoU With Federal Government

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide indefinite strike, which began on November 1. The decision followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government after hours of negotiations. With the agreement reached, resident doctors are expected to resume duties immediately across hospitals nationwide.

#### #NARD #NigeriaHealth #FGN #StrikeUpdate

UK Doctors Begin Five-Day Strike Over Pay and Training Posts.

Thousands of doctors in England began a five-day strike on Friday, marking the 13th walkout by medics since March 2023. 

The action started at 0700 GMT and involves resident doctors—those below consultant level—who make up half of the hospital medical workforce.

The Labour government’s health minister, Wes Streeting, criticised the strike, accusing the British Medical Association (BMA) of “choosing confrontation over care.” 

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said, “This strike isn’t about fairness any more. It’s about political posturing.” He insisted the government would not shift on pay, noting “a 28.9 per cent pay rise over the last three years and the highest pay award across the entire public sector in the last two.”

But the BMA maintains that doctors still need a 26 percent pay increase to restore earnings to their real value from two decades ago. 

The union is also calling for more training posts, warning that demand wildly exceeds supply. In some cases, more than 30,000 doctors are competing for only 10,000 training places required to progress toward consultant roles.

The shortage is leaving many doctors without permanent positions despite years of training. 

The strike comes as the UK continues to face a prolonged cost-of-living crisis that has triggered widespread industrial action. Over the past three and a half years, teachers, nurses, ambulance workers, lawyers, train workers, and border staff have all staged walkouts.

Tinubu Orders Immediate End to Doctors’ Strike, Moves to Restore Health Services Nationwide

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to take urgent steps to ensure that resident doctors return to work immediately, following the indefinite strike declared by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

The directive was disclosed by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, during a press briefing in Abuja. He expressed the government’s regret over the hardship caused to Nigerians due to the strike and assured that the president had ordered a swift and legitimate resolution of the crisis.

According to Salako, the government is actively addressing the 19 demands presented by NARD, including wage concerns, recruitment gaps, and improved working conditions. He revealed that over 14,000 health workers were recruited in 2024, with plans to employ over 23,000 more across 78 tertiary health institutions in 2025.

The minister also confirmed that President Tinubu had approved the increase of the retirement age for clinical workers to 65 years and released over ₦21 billion to settle outstanding arrears and allowances owed to health professionals.

Dr. Salako urged striking doctors to return to their duty posts, emphasizing that President Tinubu remains committed to revamping Nigeria’s healthcare system and ensuring a sustainable, fair resolution for all health professionals.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, commenced an indefinite strike on Saturday, grounding activities in hospitals across the country. Findings showed that many health facilities where resident doctors provide essential services were largely deserted on Sunday, with only nurses on duty offering skeletal services.

FG begins payment of arrears to health workers as resident doctors begin strike.

The federal government says it has approved and commenced the payment of over ₦33.3billion in arrears owed health workers across the country, in a bid to address the ongoing strike declared by resident doctors who constitute the bulk of the country’s health workforce.

The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Saturday morning commenced a total and indefinite strike action, citing the “repeated failure” of the federal government to honor its promises and implement the agreements reached with members after several rounds of dialogue and appeals.

Responding, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in a statement on Saturday said payments had commenced as part of wider efforts to restore stability and industrial peace in the sector especially with regards to the welfare, motivation, and stability of the nation’s health workforce.

The ministry confirmed that the payment process began following a high-level meeting with NARD leadership, led by Iziaq Salako, minister of State for Health which aimed to address the pressing issues raised by health workers, including resident doctors, and to explore solutions to the ongoing industrial dispute.

According to Alaba Balogun, the deputy director /head of information & public relations, who signed the ministry’s statement, ₦21.3 billion have been approved by President Bola Tinubu and moved into the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) account as of October 30, 2025, with payments already underway.

The government said it is in the final stages of processing an additional ₦11.995 billion within the next 72 hours which will cover outstanding allowances such as accoutrement payments.

The ministry also noted a ₦10 billion paid in August 2025 to cover seven months of arrears related to the 25% and 35% upward revision of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

“All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in accordance with the salary structure in the health sector”, the statement read.

Doctors begin nationwide indefinite strike after failed talks with Government.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced an indefinite strike following the Federal Government’s failure to meet their demands after a 30-day ultimatum expired.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the association’s president, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, said the strike became unavoidable after several unfulfilled promises and unsuccessful meetings with government representatives. According to him, the decision was made reluctantly but was necessary to draw attention to the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“This action is not driven by desire but by necessity. The government’s continued neglect of our welfare and the poor condition of hospitals nationwide has left us with no choice,” Suleiman stated.

He emphasized that the strike was not for personal benefit but aimed at protecting both doctors and patients by demanding a better working environment.

NARD listed major grievances including unpaid salaries and allowances, poor working conditions, shortage of staff, overwhelming workload, and lack of medical equipment, all of which have crippled effective healthcare delivery across the country.

Suleiman warned that the ongoing mass exodus of medical professionals would persist unless the government acted swiftly to address these concerns.

“The strength of any nation’s health system depends on the well-being of its doctors. When they are neglected and demoralized, patients ultimately bear the brunt,” he added.

He appealed to Nigerians, civil society organizations, and labour unions to support their struggle for a functional and humane health system rather than view it as a confrontation with the government.

NARD confirmed that the strike officially began on Saturday, November 1, 2025, and hospitals nationwide are already experiencing widespread disruption in services.

Abuja resident doctors to join NARD indefinite strike Saturday.

Resident doctors employed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration have issued a notice to join the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors in an indefinite industrial action expected to begin on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

This was contained in a notice letter dated 30th October, 2025, addressed to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and signed by ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, and the Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong.

The decision was unanimously approved by the ARD-FCTA Congress at an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

ARD-FCTA stressed that it would continue the indefinite strike until its demands are met.

“The Congress unanimously votes to fully join the NARD-declared strike in its entirety.

“It is, however, important to note:
Even if NARD suspends or calls off its strike, ARD-FCTA will continue its own indefinite strike action until all demands peculiar to our centre have been satisfactorily met,” the notice partly read.

NARD had earlier announced a plan to begin an indefinite strike on November 1st, 2025.

Recall that ARD-FCTA said it is considering a decisive response against the non-implementation of FCT minister Nyesom Wike’s approval of their demands.

The association had suspended its strike in September 2025 after a pledge by the Nigerian Senate Committee on Federal Territory Area Councils & Ancillary Matters to intervene on the issue.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced plans to commence an indefinite nationwide strike starting November 1, 2025.

MDCAN begins 21-day warning strike over salary disparity.

The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka, has begun a 21-day warning strike in Anambra over non-implementation of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

The Chairman of MDCAN-COOUTH, Amaechi Nwachukwu, made the disclosure at a news conference on Monday in Awka.

Association is demanding that the CONMESS recently granted to resident doctors be extended to its members.

It warned that failure to implement the adjustment within the stipulated period would lead to an indefinite industrial action by its members.

Mr Nwachukwu said the association had earlier engaged the hospital management over their demand and received the assurances that the issue would be resolved.

He, however, expressed disappointment that the promised adjustment was yet to be reflected in the soon-to-be-paid October salary.

According to him, it is customary for any salary increment or allowance approved for resident doctors to be automatically extended to their supervising consultants.

“The consultants are responsible for training resident doctors and conducting medical research,” he said.

Resident doctors in Abuja suspend indefinite strike.

The Association of Resident Doctors of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has suspended the indefinite strike.

He said its members are expected to resume work on Monday, 22nd September 2025, at 8 am.

He noted that the strike suspension comes after the intervention of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Federal Territory Area Councils & Ancillary Matters and respect for FCT Minister Nyesome Wike.

However, Dr Ebong revealed that none of its demands had been met as of filing the report.

“The senate intervened. Even though none of our demands have been met yet, they assured us that they will talk to the minister. “We hope the minister will listen to us, because we respect him,” he stated.

Recall that ARD-FCTA began an indefinite strike on Monday over poor working conditions, remuneration and other demands.

Resident Doctors in FCT Begin Seven-Day Warning Strike

The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT), has embarked on a seven-day warning strike to protest unresolved issues in the health sector.

Announcing the action in Abuja, ARD-FCT President, Dr. George Ebong, said the decision followed resolutions at an emergency meeting on Friday, September 5. He explained that despite several rounds of dialogue, the FCT Administration had failed to address long-standing concerns.

Issues raised include lack of manpower, poor welfare, unpaid salaries, unexplained deductions, and the psychological toll of long working hours. Ebong noted that no new employment has taken place since 2011, leaving doctors to cover multiple departments. He recalled that the pressure of excessive workload recently led to the death of a doctor in Port Harcourt.

The association also cited unsafe conditions, pointing to a nurse who died from a snake bite in Abaji General Hospital. “The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has been notified severally of the issues affecting doctors but has allegedly turned a blind eye,” Ebong said. He urged the administration to declare a state of emergency across the 14 district and general hospitals in the FCT.

The strike, he stressed, will be uninterrupted. “If after seven days the issues raised are not resolved, the doctors will embark on an indefinite strike,” he warned, adding that decision-making must include frontline health professionals.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isaq Salako, expressed optimism that ongoing talks with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) could avert a nationwide strike. “The National Association of Resident Doctors has issued an ultimatum, but I believe with the level of conversation ongoing, we had a meeting on Monday; we are making progress,” he said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

He explained that the main issue remains the residency training allowance, about 40 percent of which for 2025 is yet to be paid. “That is my hope, and that is what we are working on,” he said.

Resident Doctors Hand FG 10-Day Ultimatum, Threaten Nationwide Strike.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned the Federal Government of an impending nationwide strike if its demands are not met within the next 10 days.

In a communiqué issued after an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Sunday, the doctors accused the government of consistently failing to implement previous agreements.

The statement, signed by NARD President, Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Omoha Amobi, fixed Wednesday, September 10, 2025, as the deadline for the ultimatum.

The association recalled that it had earlier given a three-week ultimatum in July but later extended it by another three weeks to allow for dialogue.

However, after reviewing the situation at the weekend, the council said little to no progress had been made.

NARD noted that many of its members are yet to receive their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), while five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) adjustment remain unpaid.
The group also lamented the non-payment of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.

FCT Resident Doctors Ask FG To Address Challenges In Health Sector, Threaten Strike
The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT), has urged the Federal Government to urgently address rising challenges in the health sector, warning that continued neglect could cause systemic collapse.

BREAKING: Medical Staff Urge Tinubu Presidency To Probe Corruption, Worsening Conditions At Yaba Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital

Medical workers at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, have petitioned the Tinubu presidency to probe alleged corruption and worsening conditions under Medical Director Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, whose tenure officially ended in May 2025.

In a statement titled “Worsening state of affairs in the hospital”, staff alleged:

Parts of the hospital have lacked electricity for months; wards are infested with bedbugs.

Food and medications for patients are allegedly diverted, leaving patients hungry and untreated.

Frequent violent ward breakouts have forced some wards to shut down due to safety fears.

An electronic medical record system remains non-functional despite continued payments to a private contractor.

Construction projects remain incomplete despite millions released by government.

Workers accused Owoeye of “incompetent leadership and unprecedented corruption,” including fund diversions and shady PPP contracts. They also alleged that a recent ministerial probe was compromised, excluding key stakeholders like doctors and nurses’ associations.

Their demand: The Presidency must reject Owoeye’s reappointment and order a transparent process for a new medical director to prevent “total collapse” of the institution.

This comes weeks after resident doctors in Yaba staged a warning strike over unpaid salaries and poor welfare. Earlier this year, SaharaReporters obtained audio where Owoeye admitted diverting patients’ meal funds to settle electricity bills.

#Corruption #Healthcare #Nigeria #Tinubu