The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja on Friday restrained the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, and two of its officials from embarking on any form of industrial action from January 12, 2026.
Justice E. D. Subilim granted the interim injunction in a suit marked NICN, ABJ, 06, 2026, filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation against NARD, Dr Mohammad Suleman, and Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim.
The order followed plans by resident doctors across the country to commence a total and indefinite strike. The Association of Resident Doctors at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, had on Thursday declared support for the nationwide strike scheduled to begin at 12 midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The doctors accused the Federal Government of insincerity and insensitivity in implementing the memorandum of understanding signed with NARD after the suspension of the association’s 29-day industrial action in November 2025.
Also read: Doctors in Abuja begin seven-day strike
The court order, granted on Friday, January 9, 2026, followed an ex parte application by the Federal Government seeking to restrain the doctors from calling or organising any strike, work stoppage, picketing, go-slow or other industrial protest pending the hearing of a substantive motion.
In his ruling, Justice Subilim barred the association, its officers, members, agents or anyone acting on their behalf from calling, directing, organising, participating in or embarking upon any form of industrial action, as well as from taking steps in preparation for such action.
The injunction will remain in force until January 21, 2026, when the court is expected to hear the motion on notice.
The court also ordered the Federal Government to serve the defendants with the court processes within seven days. The resident doctors were granted liberty to apply for the discharge or variation of the order within seven days of being served.
PUNCH
