Port Harcourt, Rivers State — Residents of Port Harcourt and surrounding areas are advised to prepare for major disruptions in healthcare services as the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) officially declared a total, indefinite nationwide strike.
Tagged “TICS 2.0” (Total, Indefinite, and Complete Strike), the industrial action is set to begin at exactly 12:00 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026.
Why are Doctors Striking Again?
This move follows what NARD President, Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, described as the Federal Government’s "total failure" to honor the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed back in late 2025. Despite suspending a previous 29-day strike in November with hopes of a resolution, the association claims their demands have been largely ignored.
The "No Implementation, No Going Back" demands include:
Unpaid Arrears: Immediate payment of outstanding promotion and salary arrears.
Allowance Disputes: Full implementation of the revised professional allowance table.
Victimization: Reinstatement of five doctors dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.
Pay Delays: Resolution of persistent salary delays for House Officers.
Entry-Level Issues: Clarification on "skipping" concerns within the Health Ministry.
What This Means for Port Harcourt Residents
With major tertiary health institutions like the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) relying heavily on resident doctors, the "TICS 2.0" action is expected to ground most clinical services.
According to the directive issued after the Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting:
7-Day Countdown: Local NARD chapters in PH will hold media briefings and congresses this week to sensitize the public.
Hospital Protests: Expect coordinated demonstrations at federal and state teaching hospitals between January 12 and 16.
National Escalation: If demands aren't met, regional and national protests will follow after January 16.
"The responsibility to avert another nationwide doctors’ strike lies with government action, not doctors’ patience," stated Dr. Suleiman.
People Also Ask (Trending FAQs)
Will UPTH be open during the strike? While emergency services may have skeletal staff, most departments will be affected.
When will the doctors' strike end? NARD says the strike is "indefinite" until all demands are met.
Are private hospitals in Port Harcourt on strike? No, the strike only affects NARD members in government-owned tertiary hospitals.
Stay tuned to PH City Updates for more on how this affects local clinics.
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