The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) sitting in Abuja has issued an interim order restraining the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) from embarking on its planned nationwide strike. The strike, which was scheduled to commence at midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026, was intended as a protest against the Federal Government’s alleged failure to implement agreed-upon welfare demands. However, Justice Emmanuel Subilim granted an ex parte application filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), effectively freezing all industrial action until the case is heard.
Justice Subilim ruled on Friday, January 9, that the association, its members, and agents are barred from “calling, directing, organizing, or participating in any form of industrial action.” This includes work stoppages, go-slows, and picketing. The court emphasized that the order remains in force until the determination of the substantive motion, which has been adjourned to January 21, 2026. The government’s legal team, led by Maimuna Lami Shiru, argued that the strike would cause “irreparable harm” to the nation’s healthcare system, especially as many tertiary institutions are already struggling with infrastructure deficits.
The NARD leadership, including National President Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleman, had declared the strike after an extraordinary meeting on January 2, citing “No Implementation, No Going Back.” The doctors are demanding the immediate reinstatement of five disengaged colleagues in Lokoja, the payment of outstanding promotion arrears across 62 institutions, and the full implementation of the Professional Allowance Table. The association also questioned the whereabouts of ₦90 billion allegedly allocated in the 2026 budget for health workers’ allowances, claiming they have seen no evidence of these funds being disbursed.
