Resident doctors at the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, under the Abia State chapter of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors have announced their decision to participate in the ongoing nationwide strike declared by the association.
The decision was reached during an extraordinary general meeting of the Association of Resident Doctors at FMC Umuahia, held on January 8, 2026, following resolutions taken by NARD’s National Executive Council.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, the Abia State NARD President, Dr Alaede Godwin, said the doctors would commence an indefinite strike from midnight on January 12, 2026, citing the Federal Government’s failure to honour agreements reached with the association.
“As members of NARD, we will comply with the directive of our national body and withdraw our services indefinitely from January 12,” Alaede said.
“This decision follows the federal government’s continued failure to implement the memorandum of understanding it freely entered into with us.”
He explained that the MoU, signed with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, was meant to address critical issues bordering on welfare, remuneration, and professional practice.
“Despite prolonged engagements and repeated assurances, none of our key demands has been meaningfully addressed,” he said. “This leaves us with no option but to resume the suspended strike action.”
Alaede noted that the NEC, during its meeting on January 2, 2026, observed that the government’s actions were inconsistent with the terms of the agreement that led to the suspension of the earlier strike.
According to him, the association is demanding, among other issues, the immediate reinstatement of five doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, payment of outstanding promotional and salary arrears, and improved conditions of service for resident doctors nationwide.
“The NEC resolved that all resident doctors across the 91 tertiary health institutions, including FMC Umuahia, should completely withdraw their services until the government demonstrates genuine commitment to resolving these issues,” he said.
While expressing regret over the inconvenience the strike may cause patients, Alaede said the action was necessary to protect the future of medical practice in the country.
“This decision was not taken lightly. We remain committed to healthcare delivery, but we cannot continue to ignore the prolonged neglect of our welfare and the deteriorating state of medical infrastructure,” he said.
He added that the association remains open to dialogue.
“We are willing to reconsider our position if the government takes immediate and concrete steps to address our concerns,” Alaede said.
