The Association of Resident Doctors at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital has announced its complete backing for the planned continuation of the nationwide strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, set to commence on Monday, January 12.
In a statement released on Friday, the LASUTH-ARD President, Dr Akerele Alaba, stated that resident doctors in LASUTH would strictly adhere to the directive from the national leadership to recommence the Total Indefinite and Comprehensive Strike 2.0, tagged ‘No Implementation, No Going Back’.
Akerele reminded that NARD had earlier begun a nationwide strike on November 1, 2025, which was called off on November 29, 2025, after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Federal Government on November 27, 2025.
He explained that the MoU contained 19 demands, all of which were supposed to be fully executed within one month.
According to him, “The Federal Government has failed to fulfil its part of the agreement. Many of the items have been completely neglected, altered, or only partially implemented.”
He revealed that the move to resume the strike was based on decisions taken during NARD’s Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, which took place virtually on January 2, 2026.
Akerele noted that the NEC would only agree to halt TICS 2.0 once crucial minimum demands are fully met. These include the reinstatement of the FTH Lokoja Five, settlement of promotion and salary arrears, complete implementation of the professional allowance table with arrears provided for in the 2026 budget, restoration of the specialist allowance, resolution of delayed salaries for house officers, and the recommencement of the Collective Bargaining Agreement process.
The LASUTH-ARD president further drew attention to lingering local welfare issues affecting resident doctors in Lagos State. These concerns involve the abandoned resident doctors’ quarters project, unpaid advancement arrears, exclusion from housing and pension schemes, failure to pay teaching allowances to registrars and house officers, and the outstanding December 2025 bonus.
He urged the Lagos State Government to ensure prompt disbursement of the 2026 medical residency training fund, while commending the government for its regular annual payment of the fund in previous years.
Akerele also appealed to the state government to urgently address the highlighted issues, noting that although the decision to strike was tough, it was made to protect doctors’ welfare, dignity, and the long-term sustainability of healthcare delivery across the country.
He added that resident doctors at LASUTH were presently providing full services but would observe the strike directive immediately it comes into force.
