The Association of Resident Doctors of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, has declared its full support for the total and indefinite strike announced by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, which is scheduled to commence at 12:00 midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026.

The resident doctors criticised what they described as the insincerity and insensitivity of the Federal Government in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with NARD after the suspension of the association’s 29-day strike in November 2025.

They stated that more than one month after the government committed itself to addressing key demands raised by resident doctors, there has been little or no meaningful progress, leaving them with no alternative but to join the planned indefinite industrial action.

The Chairman of the association, Dr Chidi Ikwumezie, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Dr Grace Adeniyi, made this known on Thursday while addressing journalists at the resident doctors’ quarters of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.

Ikwumezie explained that the decision to align with the national strike was taken following an emergency general meeting of the hospital’s resident doctors, which was held virtually on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

He said, “The ARD of Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, hereby announces its decision to join the resumption of the nationwide strike declared by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), effective from 12:00 midnight (12 am) on Monday, January 12, 2026.”

He added, “This decision follows the continued failure of the Federal Government of Nigeria to fully implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with resident doctors in November 2025, despite repeated engagements, assurances, and ample time provided for compliance.”

Ikwumezie further stated, “This position was reached after an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) of ARD, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, held virtually on Sunday, January 4, 2026, where members extensively deliberated on the unresolved welfare and professional issues affecting resident doctors across the country.”

He concluded, “At the end of the meeting, members unanimously resolved to align with the national body in the ongoing struggle for justice, welfare, and professional dignity.”

The industrial action, tagged TICS, meaning “Total, Indefinite and Comprehensive Strike,” and bearing the slogan, “No Implementation, No Going Back,” is expected to continue until all the demands of resident doctors are fully implemented.

The association listed its demands to include the reinstatement of five resident doctors of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja; the payment of all outstanding promotion and salary arrears; and the full implementation of the corrected professional allowance table, with arrears adequately captured in the 2026 Federal Budget.

Other demands include official clarification on skipping and entry-level issues by the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission to Chief Executives, the reintroduction and full implementation of the Specialist Allowance, as well as the resolution of House Officers’ salary delays and arrears, including the issuance of a clear pay advisory.

The association reaffirmed its total and unwavering solidarity with NARD and resident doctors across the country, stressing that the strike had become unavoidable due to the government’s persistent failure to honour agreements it freely entered into.

It said, “The ARD remains firmly committed to protecting the welfare, professional dignity, and humane working conditions of its members.”

The resident doctors urged the Federal Government to act promptly and responsibly to prevent a complete shutdown of services in tertiary health institutions nationwide, warning that prolonged inaction could have serious consequences for healthcare delivery and the well-being of Nigerians.

They also appealed to relevant stakeholders, civil society organisations and members of the public to prevail on the government to take urgent action in the overriding interest of the nation’s health sector.

The PUNCH reported that NARD suspended its earlier indefinite strike after 29 days of industrial action in November 2025, a period during which healthcare services were severely disrupted as about 11,000 resident doctors across 91 teaching hospitals withdrew their services over poor working conditions and unpaid allowances.

That strike, which began on November 1, 2025, was suspended following deliberations at an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting of the association.

The Secretary-General of NARD, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, explained at the time that the suspension followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government, based on seven key conditions set by the association.

Ibrahim disclosed that two of the seven demands had been met, while the remaining five were expected to be fulfilled within four weeks in line with the MoU, warning that the association would not hesitate to resume industrial action if the government failed to meet the outstanding demands within the agreed timeframe.

It is against this background that the Association of Resident Doctors of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, is preparing to join the resumption of NARD’s nationwide indefinite strike scheduled to begin next Monday.