Resident Doctors Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Unmet Government Promises

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has issued a stark warning of an impending “total and indefinite” nationwide strike, accusing the Federal Government of reneging on a crucial agreement meant to resolve a long-standing dispute.

In an urgent appeal posted on Sunday, NARD’s Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, stated the country is “on the brink” of another major healthcare shutdown, dubbed “TICS 2.0.” This follows the government’s failure to implement the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding signed just over a month ago.

The association suspended a 29-day strike on November 29 after signing the MoU, which gave the government a four-week deadline to address their demands. NARD now states that deadline has passed with “no visible or substantive progress,” leaving them with no choice but to prepare for renewed industrial action.

“This development is deeply distressing,” the statement read, “not only because of its implications for healthcare delivery, but because it represents a breakdown of trust, sincerity, and good faith.”

NARD detailed a pattern of extended deadlines and ignored ultimatums leading to the current crisis. The association emphasized that resident doctors, who form the backbone of service in Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals, are “overworked, continue to experience breakdowns, and are increasingly demoralised.”

The doctors are now appealing directly to senior medical elders and leaders in the profession to intervene, believing their influence could compel the government to act and avert a crisis that would “potentially affect[] millions of patients across the country.”

As of the latest reports, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had not issued an official response to the renewed strike threat.