The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has accused the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government of failing to honour a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached with the association, warning that the country risks another nationwide shutdown of medical services.
The association said Nigeria is on the brink of a total and indefinite comprehensive strike if the government continues to ignore agreed commitments.
In an urgent appeal titled “Urgent Appeal to Avert a Looming Nationwide NARD Strike,” NARD’s Secretary General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, said the proposed industrial action was prompted by the Federal Government’s failure to meet multiple implementation deadlines contained in the MoU.
According to NARD, the looming strike is a direct consequence of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government’s failure to implement the agreement signed after the association suspended its indefinite strike on November 29, following 29 days of industrial action. The MoU, NARD said, required the government to meet its demands within four weeks.
The association warned that it would resume a total, indefinite and comprehensive strike if the agreed demands were not implemented within the stipulated timeframe.
In the appeal addressed to senior medical professionals and respected elders, NARD stated:
“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.”
NARD stressed that resident doctors play a central role in healthcare delivery in Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals, noting that prolonged delays have further worsened morale within the profession.
“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 in 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.”
The association said the agreed timelines have now been ignored.
“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.”
Reiterating its position, NARD added: “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. 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 demoralised. 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.”
NARD therefore appealed for urgent intervention to avert another healthcare crisis.
“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 honour 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.”