By Animashaun Salman
The Association of Resident Doctors of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, on Friday, declared full support for the nationwide indefinite strike announced by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, effective Monday, January 12, 2026, over the Federal Government’s alleged failure to honour critical welfare and training agreements.
The decision followed an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting of NARD held virtually on January 2 to review the implementation status of the Memorandum of Understanding earlier signed with the Federal Government through the Ministries of Health and Labour.
Briefing journalists in Sokoto on Friday, the ARD, UDUTH, said the review uncovered “persistent failures” by the government to fulfil key commitments, including the non-reinstatement of five disengaged resident doctors of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, non-payment of accumulated promotion and salary arrears, and the partial implementation of the Professional Allowance Table.
Other unresolved issues identified by the E-NEC include withheld Specialist Allowance payments for eligible doctors, ambiguity over skipping and entry-level placement, delays in the payment of house officers’ salaries and arrears, re-categorisation of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria certificates, and delays in the issuance of postgraduate training certificates.
The council also raised concerns about deteriorating hospital infrastructure, obsolete medical equipment, a non-functional collective bargaining process, outstanding CONMESS 25 and 35 per cent arrears, and the inactivity of the Special Pension Benefits Committee.
In response, NARD demanded the immediate reinstatement of the affected Lokoja doctors, payment of outstanding arrears, full implementation of all allowances, resolution of training certification challenges, and 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, directing resident doctors across 91 tertiary institutions to withdraw their services completely.
The E-NEC also instructed state and national leadership to commence coordinated peaceful protests on the same date.
The President of ARD, UDUTH, Dr Mujitaba Umar, described the decision as “difficult but unavoidable,” saying 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 “in the interest of the Nigerian populace and the healthcare system.”
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