The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has suspended its planned nationwide strike after a last-minute intervention by Vice President Kashim Shettima, averting what many feared could become a crippling shutdown of public health services across the country.

The association’s National President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, confirmed the suspension after an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council, NEC, in which representatives from teaching hospitals and federal medical centres nationwide deliberated on the government’s latest assurances.

According to Suleiman, the Vice President personally reached out to the NARD leadership and issued directives to relevant ministries and agencies to fast-track the resolution of several long-standing grievances. These include issues related to unpaid allowances, implementation of previously signed agreements, improved working conditions, and the welfare of resident doctors who form the backbone of Nigeria’s public healthcare workforce.

Suleiman explained that the Vice President appealed for more time to address the remaining unresolved matters, pledging that the government would act in good faith. In response, NARD’s NEC convened and, after extensive deliberations, voted to suspend the strike that had been scheduled to commence as a total and indefinite industrial action.

“Following his intervention, the National Executive Council of the association convened and unanimously resolved to respect the President’s efforts and halt the strike action that was scheduled to begin on January 12. This decision was reached just a few hours ago, and more information will be communicated shortly,” Suleiman said.

He added that a detailed communiqué outlining the resolutions, timelines, and next steps would be released after the association has fully documented the commitments made by the government. The communiqué is expected to spell out the specific concessions secured, the deadlines for implementation, and the conditions under which NARD may reconsider industrial action if the agreements are not honoured.

Suleiman, who disclosed that he is currently recovering from an illness, said he would address the press more comprehensively once he is fully fit. “Once I am fully recovered, I will also address the press to explain these issues in greater detail. For now, we are giving the government additional time to act in good faith,” he said.

NARD had earlier announced plans to embark on what it described as a Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike, tagged TICS 2.0, from January 12. The decision followed an Emergency National Executive Council meeting held on January 2, during which delegates from chapters across the country reviewed the Federal Government’s implementation of previous agreements.

The association accused the government of failing to fully implement a series of commitments captured in a Memorandum of Understanding signed after earlier rounds of industrial disputes. 

Resident doctors have long complained of poor remuneration, heavy workloads, and unsafe working environments, conditions they say have contributed to the steady exodus of Nigerian medical professionals to countries offering better pay and facilities. NARD has repeatedly warned that without urgent reforms, the country risks a deepening brain drain that could further weaken an already strained health system.

The planned strike had drawn concern from patient groups, civil society organisations, and health sector stakeholders, many of whom urged both the government and the doctors to find a middle ground. Public anxiety was heightened by memories of previous nationwide strikes that disrupted services in teaching hospitals and federal medical centres, forcing patients to seek care in private facilities they could scarcely afford or to forgo treatment altogether.

Sources within the health sector indicate that following Shettima’s involvement, key ministries and agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Budget and Planning authorities, were instructed to prioritise the issues raised by NARD. While the full details of the new commitments have yet to be made public, insiders suggest that concrete steps have been agreed upon regarding payment timelines and policy adjustments.

For now, NARD’s decision to suspend the strike is being interpreted as a gesture of goodwill and a test of the government’s sincerity. The association has made it clear in past disputes that suspensions are not cancellations, and that industrial action could resume if promises are not kept within agreed timeframes.