The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), sitting in Abuja, has barred the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and its members from embarking on the strike scheduled to begin on 12 January 2026. Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the restraining order on Friday while ruling on a motion ex parte filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation in suit number NICN/ABJ/06/2026.
The application was granted after the court heard submissions from Maimuna Lami Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation at the Federal Ministry of Justice, who led the government’s legal team in moving the motion.
The respondents in the suit are NARD, its National President, Mohammad Usman Suleman, and its Secretary General, Shuaibu Ibrahim.In his ruling, Justice Subilim restrained NARD, its officers, members, agents and anyone acting on its behalf from calling, organising, directing or participating in any form of industrial action, including strikes, work stoppages, go-slows, picketing or other related protests.
The court also prohibited the association from taking any steps toward, or in furtherance of, the planned strike slated for 12 January, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.
Justice Subilim held that the interim injunction would remain in force until 21 January 2026, when the motion on notice is expected to be heard. He further directed the Federal Government to serve the court order on the defendants within seven days.
According to the court, the defendants may apply for the discharge or variation of the order within seven days of being served.
NARD had earlier directed its members across 91 tertiary health institutions nationwide to withdraw their services completely and indefinitely from 12:00 a.m. on Monday, 12 January 2026, citing the Federal Government’s failure to honour a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached with the association.
