Resident doctors warn of renewed strike, call for MoU enforcement

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned that Nigeria may soon experience another nationwide disruption of medical services due to the Federal Government’s failure to implement a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

In an urgent appeal addressed to senior medical professionals and respected elders, the association cautioned that the country is approaching a total and indefinite nationwide strike. According to NARD, repeated deadlines for implementing the MoU have been ignored by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government.
The association had earlier suspended an indefinite strike on November 29 after 29 days of industrial action, following the signing of the MoU, which committed the government to address NARD’s demands within four weeks. However, more than a month later, no tangible progress has been made.

NARD expressed deep concern over the situation, describing it as a breakdown of trust and good faith in government professional relations. The association noted that resident doctors, who form the backbone of service delivery in Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals, are overworked, overstretched, and increasingly demoralised.
The doctors explained that after suspending an initial warning strike, they issued a two-week ultimatum that passed without any meaningful response. This was followed by a 30-day extension as a goodwill gesture, and later an additional seven-day extension none of which elicited action from the government. This sequence of delays ultimately led to the commencement of an earlier nationwide strike, which was suspended only after the MoU was signed with clear timelines.

Despite these efforts, NARD stated that there has been no visible or substantive implementation of the agreement, even after the expiration of the agreed timeframe. The association stressed that resident doctors should not be blamed if industrial action resumes, having consistently shown patience, restraint, and commitment to dialogue.
NARD warned that failure to honour the MoU could result in a complete shutdown of hospital services, potentially affecting millions of patients nationwide. The association emphasized that repeated neglect of agreed commitments sends a dangerous signal that sacrifice, professionalism, and dialogue are no longer valued.

In its appeal, NARD called on respected medical elders to intervene, noting that their moral authority and influence could compel swift government action. The association urged immediate and visible steps to implement the MoU, stating that timely intervention could avert another healthcare crisis, restore confidence, and protect the integrity of the medical profession.

As of the time of this warning, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had not issued any official response.