The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to embark on a nationwide shutdown of medical services, following the failure by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to honor a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the association.
This was contained in a post issued on X by NARD Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim on Sunday, titled “Urgent Appeal to Avert a Looming Nationwide NARD Strike (TICS 2.0).”
The post reads, “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 honor 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.
“For clarity, the sequence of events over the past few months underscores NARD’s patience and restraint. Following the suspension of the warning strike, NARD issued a two-week ultimatum, which elapsed without any meaningful response from the Federal Ministry of Health or the Federal Government at the last AGM.
“This ultimatum was subsequently extended by 30 days as a form of goodwill, again without response. A further seven-day extension was granted, still without response. Consequently, TICS 1.0 commenced, prompting limited engagement that culminated in the signing of an MoU with clear timelines.
“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.
“It is important to emphasize that NARD has shown uncommon restraint and patriotism. Strikes were suspended, timelines were extended, and multiple conciliatory meetings were honored, 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.
“Distinguished elders, resident doctors form the backbone of service delivery in Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals. They are overworked, continue to experience breakdowns, and are increasingly demoralized. When agreements addressing our welfare endorsed by the Federal Government are treated with levity, it sends a dangerous signal that sacrifice, dialogue, and professionalism no longer count.
“We therefore humbly but urgently appeal to you to prevail on the Federal Ministry of Health, and by extension the Federal Government, to take immediate and visible steps to honor the MoU with NARD. Your timely intervention can still avert this looming crisis, restore confidence, and prevent yet another avoidable disruption to healthcare services across the country.
“History has shown that when respected medical elders speak, governments listen. This is one of those defining moments where your intervention can preserve industrial harmony, safeguard patients’ lives, and protect the integrity of our profession. Nigeria’s patients, our colleagues, and the future of the nation’s health system are counting on you.”
More details later.
