The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, has announced its full support for the nationwide indefinite strike called by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), set to begin Monday, January 12, 2026. The industrial action is in response to the Federal Government’s alleged failure to honour key welfare and training agreements with medical professionals.
The decision followed an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting of NARD, held virtually on January 2, to assess the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding previously signed with the Federal Government through the Ministries of Health and Labour.
Briefing journalists in Sokoto on Friday, the ARD, UDUTH, revealed that the review uncovered “persistent failures” by the government, including the non-reinstatement of five disengaged resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, unpaid accumulated promotion and salary arrears, and partial implementation of the Professional Allowance Table.
Other unresolved issues identified include:
Withheld Specialist Allowance payments for eligible doctors
Ambiguity over skipping and entry-level placement
Delayed salaries and arrears for house officers
Re-categorisation of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria certificates
Delays in the issuance of postgraduate training certificates
The council also expressed concern over deteriorating hospital infrastructure, obsolete medical equipment, a non-functional collective bargaining process, outstanding CONMESS 25% and 35% arrears, and the inactivity of the Special Pension Benefits Committee.
In response, NARD demanded:
Immediate reinstatement of the affected Lokoja doctors
Payment of all outstanding arrears
Full implementation of allowances
Resolution of training certification issues
Urgent intervention in tertiary health facilities nationwide
“With the government failing to demonstrate concrete commitment, the council resolved to commence a total, comprehensive, and indefinite withdrawal of services from 12:00 a.m. on Monday, January 12,” the communiqué stated. Resident doctors across 91 tertiary institutions are directed to participate fully.
The E-NEC also instructed state and national leadership to coordinate peaceful protests alongside the strike.
ARD, UDUTH President, Dr. Mujitaba Umar, described the decision as “difficult but unavoidable,” noting that prolonged neglect of agreements is undermining both doctors’ welfare and public healthcare delivery.
The chapter’s General Secretary, Dr. Muhammad Abdulrahman Hassan, urged the Federal Government to act swiftly, emphasizing that decisive intervention is necessary “in the interest of the Nigerian populace and the healthcare system.”
Elijah Adeyemi
