Resident doctors at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) in Sokoto have announced their full support for a nationwide, indefinite strike set to begin on January 12, 2026. The decision follows a virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), during which members reviewed the status of agreements with the Federal Government. The meeting highlighted the government’s continued failure to meet commitments concerning resident doctors’ welfare, training, and remuneration.
Key unresolved issues include the non‑reinstatement of disengaged resident doctors, unpaid promotion and salary arrears, and only partial implementation of the Professional Allowance Table. Additional concerns involve delays in issuing postgraduate training certificates, deteriorating infrastructure in tertiary hospitals, and the use of obsolete medical equipment. In response, NARD is demanding the immediate reinstatement of affected doctors, full settlement of outstanding arrears, and complete implementation of approved allowances. The association is also calling for urgent intervention to improve facilities in teaching and specialist hospitals across the country.
Given the government’s lack of demonstrable commitment, the council resolved to commence a total and indefinite withdrawal of services from January 12. The President of the NARD UDUTH chapter described the decision as “difficult but unavoidable,” warning that continued neglect of agreements undermines both doctors’ welfare and public healthcare delivery. The chapter’s General Secretary urged the Federal Government to act swiftly in the interest of the Nigerian populace and the healthcare system.
The strike will affect 91 tertiary institutions nationwide, with resident doctors withdrawing their services from the specified date. State and national leaders have been mandated to begin coordinated, peaceful protests on the same day. This development underscores the persistent challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare sector, including inadequate funding, infrastructure deficits, and human‑resource shortages. The strike is expected to have significant implications for healthcare delivery across the country, emphasizing the urgent need to address resident doctors’ concerns.
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