The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, a professional body representing medical doctors undergoing specialist training in Nigeria’s teaching hospitals, has issued a fresh warning that the country may soon experience another nationwide disruption of hospital services if the Federal Government of Nigeria fails to implement agreements previously reached with the association.
The warning follows what the association described as prolonged delays and unfulfilled commitments by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at resolving earlier industrial disputes.
In a public appeal directed at senior medical professionals and respected medical elders across the country, the association raised concerns that Nigeria’s healthcare system was approaching another crisis. The appeal was shared on the social media platform X on Sunday and titled “Urgent Appeal to Avert a Looming Nationwide NARD Strike (TICS 2.0).”
Okay News reports that the appeal was authored by the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, who cautioned that resident doctors were on the verge of commencing a Total and Indefinite Comprehensive Strike, referred to as TICS 2.0, due to the Federal Government’s failure to honour the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding freely entered into with the association.
According to the association, resident doctors had previously suspended an indefinite strike on Friday, November 29, after 29 days of industrial action, following assurances from the Federal Government that all outstanding demands would be addressed within a four-week period. That agreement was formally captured in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties.
However, the association stated that the agreed four-week timeline had elapsed without any visible or substantive implementation of the commitments made by the government, prompting renewed agitation among its members nationwide.
In the statement addressed to medical elders, the association said:
“I write to you at a critical moment for Nigeria’s health sector and the medical profession. As revered elders, past and present leaders, and custodians of the values that have long sustained our noble calling, your voices carry unmatched moral authority and national weight.
“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 association emphasised that resident doctors constitute the backbone of clinical service delivery in Nigeria’s tertiary healthcare institutions, including teaching hospitals and federal medical centres. It added that persistent delays in addressing welfare concerns have left many doctors overworked, emotionally drained, and increasingly demoralised.
The association further outlined the sequence of events leading to the current standoff, noting that it had demonstrated patience through multiple extensions of deadlines. Following the suspension of an initial warning strike, the association issued a two-week ultimatum, which elapsed without response from the Federal Ministry of Health. This was later extended by 30 days as a gesture of goodwill, followed by an additional seven-day extension, all of which passed without meaningful engagement.
According to the association, industrial action only resumed after these efforts failed, resulting in limited negotiations that eventually led to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with clearly defined timelines. As of Monday, December 29, the association said it had been 31 days since the agreement was signed, with no progress recorded.
The statement added:
“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 association warned that another shutdown of hospital services would have severe consequences for millions of Nigerians who rely on public tertiary healthcare facilities for treatment.
“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,” the statement said.
The association concluded by appealing to senior medical elders to intervene, stressing that their influence could compel government action, restore confidence, and prevent another nationwide healthcare disruption.
As of press time, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had not issued an official response to the concerns raised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors.
