The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a stark warning that the nation could soon witness another nationwide shutdown of medical services, as talks with the Federal Government over previously signed agreements remain stalled and unfulfilled.
In an urgent appeal posted on X on Sunday, titled “Urgent Appeal to Avert a Looming Nationwide NARD Strike (TICS 2.0)”, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, Secretary-General of NARD, cautioned that the association stands on the brink of a total and indefinite comprehensive strike should the government fail to meet the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year.
Resident doctors had previously suspended an indefinite strike on November 29, following 29 days of industrial action and the signing of an MoU with the Federal Government. Under that agreement, the government had committed to implementing a series of demands within a four-week timeframe.
However, according to NARD officials, those commitments have largely gone unfulfilled, a development that has reignited frustration among doctors nationwide.
In his statement, Dr. Ibrahim addressed senior medical professionals, respected elders, and leaders, imploring them to use their moral authority and influence to avert an imminent crisis in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors stands on the brink of another nationwide industrial action, ‘Total and Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS 2.0)’, triggered by the failure of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government to honour the Memorandum of Understanding freely entered into with NARD. This development is deeply distressing, not only because of its implications for healthcare delivery, but because it represents a breakdown of trust, sincerity, and good faith in government–professional relations,” the appeal read in part.
NARD stressed that resident doctors are indispensable to the functioning of tertiary hospitals across the country and described them as the backbone of clinical service delivery, lamenting that they have become “overworked and increasingly demoralised.”
The association outlined a chronology of efforts to accommodate government engagement, underscoring multiple deadlines that have elapsed without visible progress:
After suspending the initial strike in November, NARD issued a two-week ultimatum, which expired without meaningful response.
That was followed by a 30-day extension granted “as a form of goodwill.”
A further seven-day extension was also provided, yet still no substantive action reportedly followed.
“Today marks the 31st day after the signing of the MoU, yet there has been no visible or substantive progress on its implementation. In this context, it is only fair to state that resident doctors should not be blamed if industrial action resumes, having repeatedly demonstrated patience while government obligations remain unmet,” the statement added.
NARD’s appeal emphasised that failure by the Federal Government to implement the agreed terms could lead to a total disruption of hospital services nationwide, affecting millions of patients who rely on public healthcare facilities.
“It is important to emphasise that NARD has shown uncommon restraint and patriotism. Strikes were suspended, timelines were extended, and multiple conciliatory meetings were honoured, all in the hope that commitments made by the government would translate into concrete action. Regrettably, most of these commitments remain unfulfilled, while agreed deadlines have been ignored without explanation,” the association stated.
The statement concluded with a plea for respected elders to intervene, arguing that their voices could help restore confidence, avert crisis, and protect the integrity of the medical profession at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s health sector.
As of press time, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had not issued a response to NARD’s appeal or outlined any new steps toward fulfilling the outstanding terms of the MoU.
