ABUJA, Nigeria — Just as the year comes to a close, Nigeria’s healthcare system is facing a total collapse. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued an “Urgent Appeal” to avert a looming nationwide strike, tagged Total and Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS 2.0), which could paralyze tertiary hospitals across all 36 states.
The Breaking Point: Unfulfilled Promises
The threat follows the expiration of a 30-day window given to the Federal Government to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on November 29, 2025.
- The “31st Day” Warning: NARD Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, stated that today marks 31 days since the agreement was signed, yet there has been “no visible or substantive progress” on its implementation.
- Brain Drain & Burnout: Doctors have lamented being “overworked, underpaid, and demoralized,” citing the mass exodus of colleagues abroad (the ‘Japa’ syndrome) as the reason for the crushing workload on those left behind.
What the Doctors are Demanding:
The association is pressing for the immediate resolution of long-standing issues, including:
- N38 Billion Arrears: Payment of accumulated allowances and salary backlogs.
- The “One-for-One” Policy: Full enforcement of the policy to replace every doctor who leaves with a new hire to reduce the workload.
- Hazard & Specialist Allowances: Prompt disbursement of revised hazard pay and specialist training funds.
- Security: Safe working environments, following high-profile kidnappings of medical personnel earlier in the year.
Solidarity from the NMA
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), particularly the Lagos State Branch, has declared its full support for the resident doctors. Lagos NMA Chairman, Dr. Babajide Saheed, faulted the Federal Government for “negligence” and warned that any attempt to harass or intimidate striking doctors would be met with “decisive resistance.”
“Resident doctors should not be blamed if industrial action resumes,” the NARD statement warned. “We have repeatedly demonstrated patience while government obligations remain unmet.”
With millions of patients depending on public hospitals, the coming 48 hours are critical. Senior medical elders have been called upon to intervene before the shutdown begins.
