The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced plans to resume its Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0) from January 12, 2026, over the Federal Government’s failure to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier signed with the association.
The decision was disclosed on Saturday in a statement posted on X and signed by the NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, following resolutions reached at the Emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on Friday.
Last week, the association had warned of a possible nationwide shutdown of medical services, citing persistent delays by the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Health in fulfilling agreed commitments.
According to the statement, the renewed industrial action, tagged “No Implementation, No Going Back,” will commence at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026, unless all outstanding demands are met. NARD said the decision followed multiple missed deadlines for the implementation of the MoU signed after the suspension of its last strike.
As part of preparations, the E-NEC directed presidents of all 91 NARD centres across the country to convene congress meetings and subsequently brief the media.
“The National Officers’ Committee appreciates your patience, resilience, and continued support in our collective struggle for doctors’ welfare,” the statement said.
“Following the E-NEC meeting, the following resolutions were reached: NEC resolved to resume TICS 2.0, tagged ‘No Implementation, No Going Back,’ with effect from January 12, 2026, by 12:00 a.m.
“NEC has also mandated every centre president from the 91 centres to hold a congress meeting and, at the end, address the media.”
NARD explained that the aim is to hold 91 press conferences nationwide within seven days to highlight unresolved welfare issues affecting resident doctors.
The association also announced centre-based protests across hospitals from January 12 to January 16, 2026, followed by regional protests coordinated by caucus leaders and a national protest to be organised by the NARD National Officers’ Committee.
“We will then resume TICS 2.0 on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. NEC has also directed centre-based protests from January 12 to 16, 2026.
“After the centre-based protests, regional protests at the caucus leaders’ level shall be carried out.
“NEC has also directed a national protest to be organised by the NARD NOC,” the statement added.
The association stressed that the strike would only be suspended after the full implementation of its minimum demands.
NARD had earlier suspended its previous indefinite strike on November 29, after 29 days of industrial action, following the signing of the MoU, which committed the government to meet its demands within four weeks.
The demands include the reinstatement of five resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja; payment of promotion and salary arrears; and the full implementation of the professional allowance table, with arrears captured in the 2026 budget.
Other demands include official clarification on skipping and entry-level issues by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; reintroduction and implementation of the specialist allowance; resolution of house officers’ salary delays and arrears; and the issuance of a pay advisory.
NARD is also demanding the re-categorisation and issuance of membership certificates after Part I examinations by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, the commencement of locum and work-hours regulation committees, and the resumption and timely conclusion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement process.
The association explained that the one-week notice period is to allow for congress meetings, media engagement, and statutory notifications to security agencies, including the Department of State Services, the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as hospital managements.
