The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, has declared its support for the total and indefinite strike announced by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), scheduled to begin at 12:00 midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The resident doctors criticised what they described as the Federal Government’s insincerity and insensitivity in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with NARD after the suspension of the association’s 29-day strike in November 2025.
They said that more than a month after the government committed to addressing some of their demands, little progress had been recorded, leaving them with no option but to join the indefinite strike.
Speaking on Thursday in Abeokuta, the Chairman of the association, Dr. Chidi Ikwumezie, represented by the Vice Chairman, Dr. Grace Adeniyi, disclosed that the decision followed an emergency general meeting of the hospital’s resident doctors held virtually on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
According to Ikwumezie, “The ARD of Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, hereby announces its decision to join the resumption of the nationwide strike declared by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), effective from 12:00 midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026.
“This decision follows the continued failure of the Federal Government of Nigeria to fully implement the Memorandum of Understanding signed with resident doctors in November 2025, despite repeated engagements, assurances, and ample time provided for compliance.
“This position was reached after an Emergency General Meeting of ARD, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, held virtually on Sunday, January 4, 2026, where members extensively deliberated on unresolved welfare and professional issues affecting resident doctors across the country.
“At the end of the meeting, members unanimously resolved to align with the national body in the ongoing struggle for justice, welfare, and professional dignity.”
The industrial action, tagged TICS—“Total, Indefinite and Comprehensive Strike”—and bearing the slogan “No Implementation, No Going Back,” will remain in force until all demands are fully implemented.
Some of the demands include the reinstatement of five resident doctors of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja; payment of outstanding promotion and salary arrears; full implementation of the corrected professional allowance table with arrears captured in the 2026 Federal Budget; and official clarification on skipping and entry-level issues by the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to chief executives.
Other demands include the reintroduction and full implementation of the Specialist Allowance, as well as the resolution of house officers’ salary delays and arrears, including the issuance of a clear pay advisory.
The association reaffirmed its total and unwavering solidarity with NARD and resident doctors nationwide, noting that the strike had become inevitable due to the government’s persistent failure to honour agreements freely entered into.
It stressed its commitment to protecting the welfare, professional dignity and humane working conditions of its members.
The resident doctors also urged the Federal Government to act swiftly to avert a total shutdown of services in tertiary health institutions nationwide, warning that continued inaction could have grave consequences for healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of Nigerians.
They further called on relevant stakeholders, civil society organisations and the general public to prevail on the government to take urgent action in the overall interest of the nation’s health sector.
DIP Connects Online News reports that NARD suspended its indefinite strike after 29 days of industrial action in November 2025, during which healthcare services were severely disrupted as about 11,000 resident doctors across 91 teaching hospitals withdrew their services over poor working conditions and unpaid allowances.
The strike, which began on November 1, 2025, was suspended following deliberations at an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting.
NARD’s Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, explained that the suspension followed the signing of an MoU with the Federal Government based on seven key conditions set by the association.
He disclosed that two of the demands had been met, while the remaining five were expected to be fulfilled within four weeks in line with the agreement, warning that the association would not hesitate to resume industrial action if the government fails to meet the outstanding demands within the agreed timeframe.
It is against this backdrop that the ARD of Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, is set to join the resumption of NARD’s nationwide indefinite strike next Monday.
Elijah Adeyemi
