The court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim, granted the order following an ex parte application filed by the Nigerian government through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN.
The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and its members from embarking on any form of industrial action across the country.
The court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim, granted the order following an ex parte application filed by the Nigerian government through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN.
In the interim injunction, the court barred resident doctors from calling, directing, organising, participating in or embarking on strikes, work stoppages, go-slows, picketing or any other form of industrial protest capable of disrupting healthcare services nationwide.
Justice Subilim further restrained the association from taking any steps preparatory to industrial action with effect from January 12, 2026.
The judge ruled that the interim order would remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, which has been fixed for January 21, 2026.
The court action comes barely days after the National Association of Resident Doctors threatened to commence a nationwide strike on Monday over unresolved issues bordering on welfare, salaries and working conditions.
The doctors had accused the Bola Tinubu-led government of neglecting previously signed agreements, stating that “agreements have been either totally neglected, altered or half implemented,” while “gains made have been allowed to be overtaken by events totally of the making of Government.”
NARD maintained that it had exhausted all channels of engagement, explaining that it had “respectfully engaged, rightly called out the issues as they are, took advises, showed responsible maturity and even lobbied/appealed for the solutions to be implemented,” but lamented that “it appears all that has fallen flat on its face.”
Defending its members against what it described as persistent mischaracterisation, the association said, “It is not a crime to read medicine in the university, it is certainly not a crime to be a member of NARD in Nigeria,” stressing that doctors have “not offended anyone by constituting ourselves as the backbone of healthcare service delivery in Nigeria.”
The group also rejected perceptions of resident doctors as agitators lacking patriotism, stating, “One wonders why we are always seen as inexperienced troublesome militants who lack the wisdom and patriotism to ‘understand’ with Government.”
In a strongly worded passage, NARD declared that its members were “experienced enough to understand that merit doesn’t fetch a lot in Nigeria,” and “troublesome enough to boldly say Nigeria gives you what you demand for and not what you deserve.” It added that resident doctors were “militant enough to agitate for our legitimate rights. Signed and agreed upon MoUs inclusive.”