NARD Sets January 12 for Fresh Nationwide Strike Over Unresolved Welfare Issues

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Fresh tension is building within Nigeria’s healthcare sector as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has announced plans to resume its suspended industrial action later this month.

The association confirmed that its members across the country will begin a new strike on January 12, 2026, accusing the Federal Government of failing to address several unresolved demands affecting doctors and the health system.

Resident Doctors Threaten Nationwide Shutdown

The decision reportedly followed an emergency gathering of the association’s National Executive Council, where leaders reviewed negotiations with government authorities and assessed the level of compliance with earlier agreements.

According to the union, the planned action forms part of its continuing “TICS 2.0” campaign aimed at pressing for improved welfare and implementation of pending commitments.

A statement issued by NARD President Dr. Muhammad Suleiman disclosed that the warning period before the strike is intended to allow final consultations and create awareness among stakeholders.

Key Demands Driving the Strike

Among the issues fueling the looming industrial action are unpaid salary arrears, unresolved promotion benefits, and delays linked to professional allowances for medical practitioners.

The doctors are also demanding the return of specialist allowances and the payment of outstanding entitlements owed to house officers.

Another concern raised by the association involves the reinstatement of affected medical personnel at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.

Gossip News Now reports that the association additionally wants clarity from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare regarding entry-level placement and skipping issues affecting some practitioners.

Protest Activities Already Planned

Beyond the strike declaration, the association has also mapped out a nationwide mobilisation strategy expected to begin immediately.

Rather than limiting activities to Abuja, NARD directed its branches across all centres to organize separate congress meetings and media briefings in different states.

The union’s leadership also approved a sequence of demonstrations expected to unfold in stages nationwide.

Planned Actions Include:

State-level protests coordinated by local chapters
Regional demonstrations supervised by caucus leaders
A final nationwide action to be led by national officers of the association

The organisation explained that the staggered approach is intended to maintain pressure while expanding public awareness around the dispute.

Security Agencies, Hospitals to Be Notified

NARD stated that official communication would be forwarded to relevant authorities ahead of the industrial action.

The association noted that institutions expected to receive formal notice include hospital managements and security agencies such as the police, DSS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Medical experts have warned that another prolonged strike could place additional pressure on public hospitals already struggling with manpower shortages and increasing patient demands.

Concerns Grow Over Impact on Healthcare Services

The planned action has already triggered concerns among patients and healthcare observers who fear disruptions in medical services across federal and state hospitals.

Analysts say repeated industrial disputes within the health sector continue to expose deeper structural problems involving funding, welfare, and policy implementation.

Some stakeholders believe the government may still have a narrow window to prevent the shutdown through urgent negotiations with the doctors’ association.

Analysis: Health Sector Stability Faces Another Test

The latest development underscores the persistent strain between healthcare unions and government authorities in Nigeria.

While NARD insists the action is necessary to protect members’ welfare and professional standards, critics warn that recurring strikes often leave ordinary citizens bearing the heaviest burden.

Attention is now focused on whether emergency negotiations in the coming days can stop what could become another major disruption within the country’s fragile healthcare system.

TAGS: NARD