- Resident Doctors to Resume Nationwide Strike January 12
- Doctors cite unmet welfare and professional demands
- Phased protests planned across centres and regions
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has announced plans to resume its strike action on January 12, citing the government’s failure to fully address long standing welfare and professional concerns.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the association disclosed this in an update issued after its emergency National Executive Council meeting held on January 2. According to the statement, the decision followed what NARD described as insufficient progress by relevant authorities in meeting previously agreed demands.
In the statement signed by NARD President, Muhammad Suleiman, the council resolved that the strike would commence by 12.00 am on Monday, January 12, 2026.
As part of preparations for the industrial action, the council directed all 91 NARD centres across the country to convene congress meetings and subsequently address the public through press briefings to highlight their grievances.
“We want 91 press conferences to saturate the spaces over the next seven days,” the statement said.
NARD also unveiled a phased protest plan. This includes centre based protests from January 12 to January 16, followed by zonal protests to be coordinated by regional caucus leaders. The final phase will be a nationwide protest to be organised by the association’s National Officers Committee.
The association outlined nine minimum demands that must be fully implemented before any consideration would be given to suspending the Total and Indefinite Closure of Services 2.0.
Among the demands are the reinstatement of five doctors dismissed at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, payment of outstanding promotion and salary arrears, and the full implementation of the professional allowance table, with arrears captured in the 2026 budget.
Other demands include the reintroduction of the specialist allowance, resolution of persistent house officers’ salary delays, official clarification from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on skipping and entry level placement issues, and the resumption and conclusion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement process.
“TICS 2.0 suspension will only be considered after full implementation of the following minimum demands,” the statement added.
NARD explained that the one week notice before the resumption of the strike was deliberately created to allow for internal consultations, media engagement, and statutory notifications to security agencies including the DSS, the police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as hospital managements nationwide.
“The NOC appreciates the guidance of NEC and assures all members of full commitment to these resolutions. Engagements will be intensified in the coming days,” the statement said.
