Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a fresh warning that it may embark on another nationwide strike, accusing federal government of failing to honour key agreements reached with the association.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement issued on Friday, NARD disclosed that its national executive council (NEC) had convened an emergency meeting to review the situation following the expiration of the deadline earlier agreed with the federal government for the implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The association said the meeting would determine its next line of action under what it described as “TICS 2.0 — No Implementation, No Going Back.”
NARD explained that it had earlier suspended industrial action after receiving assurances from the government on outstanding welfare and training-related issues affecting resident doctors across federal health institutions. However, it noted that despite clear timelines and signed commitments, most of the agreements remain unimplemented.
The association accused the government of repeatedly delaying, modifying, or only partially executing agreements, adding that economic pressures such as inflation and rising living costs have further eroded earlier concessions made to doctors.
According to NARD, these unresolved issues continue to worsen working conditions and morale among resident doctors who form a major part of Nigeria’s public healthcare workforce.
While stressing that strike action remains a last resort, NARD warned that continued inaction by the authorities could leave it with no alternative. The group rejected what it described as attempts to label resident doctors as agitators, insisting that its members are critical to service delivery in teaching hospitals and federal medical centres nationwide.
NARD also called on federal government, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and other relevant agencies to urgently intervene, noting that prompt implementation of the MoU would help restore confidence and prevent a collapse of essential health services.
The association maintained that the responsibility for averting another nationwide strike lies squarely with the government, adding that immediate action is needed to safeguard patients and stabilise Nigeria’s already strained health system.
