The National Industrial Court in Abuja has temporarily stopped medical doctors across Nigeria from proceeding with their planned nationwide strike, originally scheduled to commence on January 12, 2026.
Justice E.D. Subilim delivered the ruling yesterday in an ex parte application brought by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The suit, filed under case number NICN/ABJ/06/2026, lists the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation as the applicants, while the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), NARD President Mohammed Suleiman, and Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim are the respondents.
The planned industrial action by NARD had been threatened last week, citing worsening welfare conditions and systemic neglect that, according to the association, have negatively affected morale and healthcare delivery nationwide.
In granting the interim injunction, Justice Subilim restrained the respondents from calling, directing, organizing, participating in, or embarking upon any form of industrial action including strikes, work stoppages, go-slows, picketing, or any other form of protest or disruption. The order also prevents respondents from taking steps preparatory to any form of industrial action from January 12, 2026.
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The court specified that the order will remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, fixed for January 21, 2026. Justice Subilim also directed that the interim order be served on the respondents within seven days and that they are at liberty to apply to the court to discharge or vary the order within the same period.
Prior to the court’s ruling, the Association of Resident Doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, had publicly expressed support for the planned nationwide strike. In a statement issued by the FMC executive committee, led by Dr. Awuzie Chinemezu Donald, the doctors cited breaches of agreements, persistent neglect, and poor welfare conditions as reasons necessitating the industrial action, which they tagged TICS 2.0 (Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike).
The statement highlighted key demands, including the reinstatement of five doctors dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, the implementation of outstanding promotions and salary arrears, and the payment of professional allowances with arrears included in the 2026 national budget. It also called for clarification by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Office of the Head of Service on skipping and entry-level issues, the reintroduction of specialist allowances, and the resolution of house officers’ salary delays.
The FMC doctors emphasized that the strike was a last resort following the federal government’s failure to honor the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously signed with NARD. They reiterated their commitment to professional dignity and fair labor practices, urging authorities to address the pending issues immediately.
The committee stressed that the healthcare system cannot function optimally when its workforce is consistently disrespected, overworked, and subjected to broken agreements.