LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nigeria’s already strained health system faces fresh uncertainty as resident doctors warn of a possible nationwide shutdown over the Federal Government’s failure to honor agreements reached after their last strike.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), says frustration is mounting among its members following what it describes as prolonged inaction by the Federal Ministry of Health on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed to end an earlier industrial action.
The association cautioned that the situation could trigger another total and indefinite strike capable of crippling hospital services nationwide.
In an urgent appeal shared on X on Sunday, NARD Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, called on senior medical professionals and respected elders to intervene before the crisis escalates.
The message, titled “Urgent Appeal to Avert a Looming Nationwide NARD Strike (TICS 2.0)”, warned that resident doctors were once again “on the brink” due to unmet government commitments. NARD recalled that it suspended a 29-day nationwide strike on November 29 after signing the MoU, which required the government to implement agreed demands within four weeks.
According to the association, that deadline has elapsed without any meaningful progress.
“I write to you at a critical moment for Nigeria’s health sector and the medical profession. 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,” Ibrahim said.
He described the development as deeply troubling, noting that it signals a breakdown of trust between the government and medical professionals. NARD stressed that resident doctors are central to service delivery in tertiary hospitals, yet remain overworked and increasingly demoralised.
To underline its frustration, the association outlined a timeline of restraint it claims has been ignored. After suspending an initial warning strike, NARD issued a two-week ultimatum, extended it by 30 days, then added a further seven-day extension, all without response.
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A subsequent strike, TICS 1.0, eventually led to the MoU, which the doctors say is now being treated with levity.
“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,” the statement said.
The association warned that another strike would disrupt hospital services nationwide, affecting millions of patients who rely on public healthcare facilities. It appealed to senior medical elders to use their influence to pressure the government into action.
“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,” Ibrahim added.
As of press time, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had not responded to NARD’s warning, leaving doctors and patients anxiously watching whether dialogue or another shutdown will follow.
