The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has insisted that it will proceed with its planned nationwide strike scheduled for January 12, 2026, unless its National Executive Council (NEC) decides otherwise.
The NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, made this known on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The development follows an interim injunction granted by the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja, restraining the association and two of its officials from embarking on any form of industrial action from January 12.
Justice E. D. Subilim issued the order in a suit marked NICN/ABJ/06/2026, filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation against NARD, Dr. Suleiman, and Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim.
Speaking via telephone during the programme, Suleiman said the association was not deterred by the court order, alleging that the Federal Government had failed to negotiate in good faith despite NARD’s earlier decision to suspend its strike in November 2025.
“We signed the Memorandum of Understanding on November 27. The strike was supposed to start on December 27. NEC carried it over, and at the beginning of this year, we met again and gave more days,” he said.
He added that news of the court injunction only came to his attention through social media, alongside reports of a possible “no work, no pay” directive.
“When we are discussing and negotiating, it should be done in good faith. Once you start bringing out armouries and arms like this, it means you don’t want to negotiate in good faith,” Suleiman stated.
Asked if the strike would still go on despite the court order, the NARD president maintained that the association would proceed unless directed otherwise by its NEC.
“We will proceed unless the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors says otherwise,” he said.
However, Suleiman noted that discussions with the Federal Government were still ongoing and expressed hope that the issues could be resolved before the proposed strike date.
“We are in conversations. We are in discussions with the Federal Government’s team. I hope that between tonight and Sunday, a lot of things will be done properly,” he added.
