The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) at the University of Port Harcourt has aligned with its national body in threatening to resume an indefinite nationwide strike starting January 12, 2026, despite a fresh court order restraining the action.
Okay News reports that the union is demanding immediate and full implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Federal Government, addressing 19 critical welfare, remuneration, and professional practice issues affecting resident doctors across Nigeria.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court in Abuja issued the restraining order on Friday following an ex parte motion by the Federal Government and Attorney General of the Federation.
The ruling came after submissions by Director of Civil Litigation at the Federal Ministry of Justice Maimuna Lami Shiru, who led a team of ministry lawyers.
NARD Uniport President Dr. Ezinne Kalu, speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, said the association suspended its strike in November 2025 in good faith, expecting the MoU to be honoured.
She explained that an Emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting on January 2, 2026, reviewed government engagements and compliance levels, leading to a communiqué signed by National President Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, General Secretary Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity Secretary Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
The council expressed deep concerns over multiple unresolved issues, including the redeployment of five disengaged resident doctors at Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja contrary to committee recommendations, delays in promotions and salary arrears, partial implementation of the Professional Allowance Table, ambiguity in entry-level placements, and exclusion from Specialist Allowance payments.
Other grievances include delayed House Officers’ salaries, re-categorisation of membership certificates, slow regulation of locum engagements, prolonged work hours, stalled Collective Bargaining Agreement processes, unpaid salaries and allowances affecting about 40 per cent of members, deteriorating infrastructure, outdated equipment in health facilities, and delays in Special Pension Benefits.
NARD demanded immediate reinstatement of the Lokoja doctors, full payment of arrears, complete implementation of allowances, clarification on placements, settlement of House Officers’ salaries, and urgent action on other outstanding commitments.
The council warned that failure to act would trigger resumption of the suspended indefinite strike at midnight on January 12, 2026, directing members in 91 tertiary health institutions to withdraw services completely until concrete commitments are demonstrated.
It also instructed leadership nationwide to commence coordinated peaceful protests if the government remains unresponsive.
NARD expressed appreciation to key officials including Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Didi Esther Wilson-Jack, Senate Committee on Health Chairman Senator Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, Minister of Labour and Employment Alh. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, and Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance Chief Wale Edun for their support.
The threat underscores ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s healthcare sector over welfare, funding, and working conditions for resident doctors.
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