Resident doctors at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, have announced they will join the nationwide indefinite strike scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The decision follows a resolution by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors to withdraw services across tertiary hospitals over unresolved welfare and training issues.
Resident doctors cite unpaid arrears, training delays
The Sokoto chapter said it was aligning fully with the national directive after reviewing the Federal Government’s handling of agreements reached with the association.
The announcement was made after an extraordinary meeting of the association’s national leadership held virtually on January 2 to assess the status of commitments made by the government through the Ministries of Health and Labour.
Briefing journalists on Friday, the Association of Resident Doctors at UDUTH said the review revealed continued delays and failures in implementing key aspects of the agreement.
Nationwide protest, service withdrawal to begin Monday
The group cited the non-reinstatement of five resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, unpaid promotion and salary arrears, and incomplete implementation of the Professional Allowance Table.
It also listed unresolved Specialist Allowance payments, confusion over skipping and entry-level placement, delays in house officers’ salaries, and challenges with training certification.
Further concerns raised include deteriorating hospital facilities, obsolete equipment, unresolved CONMESS arrears, and the inactivity of the Special Pension Benefits Committee.
“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.
The national body has also directed resident doctors in 91 tertiary institutions to participate in coordinated peaceful protests alongside the strike.
The President of ARD, UDUTH, Dr Mujitaba Umar, said the decision was not taken lightly but became necessary due to prolonged neglect of agreements.
He warned that continued disregard for doctors’ welfare was already affecting patient care and the overall health system.
The chapter’s General Secretary, Dr Muhammad Abdulrahman Hassan, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently address the issues to avoid further disruption to healthcare services.
He urged authorities to act in the interest of patients and the wider Nigerian public.
The strike is expected to affect services in major teaching hospitals across the country if the dispute is not resolved before Monday.