The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned of an imminent nationwide shutdown of medical services, following the Federal Government’s failure to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier signed with the association.
In an urgent appeal posted on X on Sunday and titled “Urgent Appeal to Avert a Looming Nationwide NARD Strike (TICS 2.0),” NARD Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, cautioned that the country was on the verge of another total and indefinite comprehensive strike.
The association said the looming industrial action stems from the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government’s failure to meet multiple deadlines for the implementation of the MoU signed with resident doctors.
NARD recalled that it suspended an indefinite strike on November 29, after 29 days of industrial action, following the signing of the MoU in which the government pledged to address the association’s demands within four weeks.
However, the association warned that failure to fulfil the agreement within the stipulated timeline would force resident doctors to resume a total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike.
“I write to you at a critical moment for Nigeria’s health sector and the medical profession,” the statement read. “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.”
NARD described the situation as deeply troubling, noting that it represents a breakdown of trust and good faith in government–professional relations, with serious implications for healthcare delivery nationwide.
The association called on senior medical professionals and respected elders in the profession to intervene, saying their influence could compel the government to act and avert another healthcare crisis.
According to NARD, it has shown considerable patience over the past months. The association said it issued a two-week ultimatum after suspending a warning strike, which elapsed without any meaningful response. This was followed by a 30-day extension and an additional seven-day grace period, all of which passed without action from the government.
NARD noted that although limited engagement during its first total strike led to the signing of the MoU with clear timelines, more than 30 days have now passed without any visible progress in implementing the agreement.
“Today marks the 31st day after the signing of the MoU, yet there has been no substantive progress,” the association said, adding that resident doctors should not be blamed if industrial action resumes.
The association stressed that resident doctors remain the backbone of service delivery in Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals, but are overworked, under severe pressure, and increasingly demoralised.
It warned that another strike would result in a total disruption of hospital services, affecting millions of patients across the country, and appealed for urgent intervention to restore confidence and prevent further damage to the health sector.
As of press time, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had yet to respond to the warning.
