KEY POINTS

• A National Industrial Court order has restrained resident doctors from embarking on a nationwide strike slated for January 12.
• The injunction follows a motion filed by the federal government pending a full hearing on January 21.
• Underlying disputes over welfare, arrears and training conditions remain unresolved.

An interim order from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja has stopped resident doctors from going on a nationwide strike that was supposed to start on January 12, 2026.

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Attorney General of the Federation, filed a motion with Justice E. D. Sublim, who then granted the order. Nairametrics saw a copy of the ruling that had been enrolled.

The decision comes at a time when tensions are rising between the government and the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors over agreements made during earlier talks that the doctors say have not been fully carried out.

The decision comes at a time when tensions are rising between the government and the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors over agreements made during earlier talks that the doctors say have not been fully carried out.

Scope of the injunction

The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleman, and Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim were all named as defendants in the case.

Justice Sublim said that the application was a good reason for temporary relief. The injunction stops the respondents, their members, and anyone acting on their behalf from calling, directing, organising, or taking part in any kind of industrial action.

The order includes strikes, work stoppages, go slows, picketing, and other types of industrial protest or disruption. It also stops any steps toward a strike from January 12 until the court hears and decides on the substantive motion.

The hearing will take place on January 21, 2026. The respondents had seven days from the date of service to ask for the order to be changed or canceled.