The Nigerian Government has secured an interim order of injunction from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria restraining the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) from proceeding with its proposed nationwide strike billed for Monday, January 12, 2026.
The order was granted on Friday by Justice E. D. Subilim of the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja, following an ex parte motion filed by the Attorney General of the Federation on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In the ruling, the court restrained all members, officers, representatives, and agents of NARD from calling, directing, organising, participating in, or embarking upon any form of industrial action.
The order covers strike, work stoppages, go-slows, picketing, or any other form of industrial protest or disruption, and also bars the association from taking any steps preparatory to such industrial action from January 12, 2026.
Justice Subilim further ordered that the interim injunction shall remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, which has been fixed for January 21, 2026.
Joined as defendants in the suit are the National Association of Resident Doctors, its President, Mohammed Suleiman, and Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim.
NARD had earlier threatened to embark on a nationwide strike from January 12 over unresolved issues with the government.
The court action was sought to forestall disruption of health services in public hospitals across the country, where resident doctors form a substantial part of the medical workforce.
With the interim order now in place, NARD is restrained from embarking on the planned industrial action until the motion on notice is heard and determined by the court.