Doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abuja have declared their intention to join a nationwide industrial action initiated by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). The strike, set to commence on Monday, January 12, 2026, is a response to the federal government's persistent failure to honour previously agreed-upon terms with the medical body.
Why Doctors Are Downing Tools
In a statement released on Thursday, the executive committee of the FMC Abuja Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) expressed profound frustration. They cited "persistent breaches of agreements, worsening welfare conditions, and systemic neglect" as the core reasons for their decision. The committee emphasized that these issues have severely damaged morale and compromised the delivery of quality healthcare services across the country.
The industrial action, tagged TICS (Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike) 2.0, is driven by nine critical demands presented to the government. Key among these demands are:
- The immediate reinstatement of five doctors dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lokoja.
- The full implementation of outstanding promotions and the payment of all salary arrears.
- The inclusion and payment of a professional allowance, with all accrued arrears, in the 2026 national budget.
- Clarification from the Federal Ministry of Health on issues related to salary skipping and entry-level placements.
- The reintroduction of specialist allowances for qualified doctors.
- Resolving persistent delays in the payment of house officers' salaries.
An Inevitable Action for Professional Dignity
The doctors' statement highlighted that this drastic step became unavoidable due to the government's continued disregard for a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). "This action has become inevitable due to the continued failure of the Federal Government to honour the MoU previously signed with NARD, despite repeated engagements, assurances and ample time provided for implementation," the committee stated.
They stressed that resident doctors are indispensable to the survival of Nigeria's tertiary healthcare system. However, the ongoing neglect threatens both their training and the sustainability of the entire health sector. While acknowledging the significant inconvenience the strike will cause patients and the public, the doctors called on the government to "urgently demonstrate sincerity by fully implementing all outstanding agreements."
OAUTHC Doctors Also Join the Fray
In a related development, resident doctors at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) have also announced their participation in the nationwide strike. Their decision, communicated in a statement from Osogbo signed by President Dr Jesunbo Martins and Secretary Dr Toyyeb Oladipo, stems from severe unpaid salary issues.
The OAUTHC chapter revealed a dire financial situation: out of 83 members, 40 doctors are owed between 10 and 14 months of salary arrears. A further 40 members have not received their salaries from as far back as March 2024. The association described this prolonged non-payment as subjecting their members to "severe financial, psychological, and professional hardship." Their strike action is also scheduled to begin at midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The convergence of these declarations from major hospitals signals a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between resident doctors and the federal government, posing a severe threat to healthcare services nationwide.
