Nigeria’s resident doctors nationwide strike and protests starting January 12 has reignited tension between healthcare workers and the Federal Government after months of unmet welfare and service-related demands. The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) announced that its members will withdraw services indefinitely from 12:00 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026, if key agreements are not fully implemented.
US to Run Venezuela? Trump Declares Temporary Control After Maduro Capture
What Triggers the Resident Doctors Nationwide Strike and Protests Starting January 12?
NARD says it exhausted all diplomatic channels, but the Federal Government has not honoured multiple deadlines to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the association. Key unresolved issues include unpaid salary arrears, stalled promotions, and unclear policies on training progression and working conditions.
As part of its mobilisation strategy, the association directed presidents of all 91 accredited training centres to hold congress meetings and brief the media across the country over the next week to amplify awareness.
Anthony Joshua Nigeria Crash: What Really Happened Before He Quietly Returned to the UK
Protests to Complement the Strike
Alongside the resident doctors nationwide strike and protests starting January 12, NARD has unveiled a structured protest schedule:
- January 12 to 16: Centre-based protests at teaching hospitals nationwide.
- After January 16: Regional demonstrations led by zone caucus leaders.
- Subsequent nationwide protest: Coordinated by the National Officers Committee if demands remain unmet.
Main Demands Driving the Strike and Protests
NARD insists that only full compliance with its minimum demands will avert the industrial action. These demands include:
- Reinstatement of five resident doctors dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.
- Settlement of promotion and salary arrears.
- Full implementation of the professional allowance table with arrears captured in the 2026 budget.
- Official clarification on entry-level and skipping issues by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
- Re-introduction and implementation of specialist allowances.
- Resolution of house officers’ salary delays and arrears.
- Resumption of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process.
Government Response and Possible Impact
As of this report, the Federal Ministry of Health has not issued an official response to the fresh strike notice. Analysts warn that another prolonged withdrawal of services could significantly disrupt tertiary hospital care, where resident doctors are central to daily operations.
With nationwide protests planned alongside the strike, public pressure is expected to intensify on authorities to meet the doctors’ minimum demands before or after January 12, 2026.
Leave a Reply