Tensions Escalate at BSUTH as Management Orders Striking Resident Doctors to Vacate Quarters

The ongoing industrial dispute at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi took a sharper turn on January 6, 2026, when hospital management issued a three-month quit notice to striking resident doctors, directing them to vacate their official quarters. The move, announced by Chief Medical Director Dr. Stephen Hwande, is intended to facilitate a major renovation exercise aimed at upgrading the facilities.

The resident doctors, who have been on strike for over a month, cited longstanding welfare issues, particularly poor accommodation and living conditions on the hospital premises, as key drivers of their action. Speaking to journalists, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors (BSUTH chapter), Dr. Kawen Pededoo, appealed directly to Governor Hyacinth Alia for urgent intervention, warning that continued disruption risks further eroding healthcare delivery across the state.

In response, Dr. Hwande emphasized the administration’s commitment to transforming BSUTH into a one-stop medical center meeting international standards, noting that recurring strikes have hindered progress. He acknowledged that some grievances have persisted for years, while others were only recently escalated to management.

Despite the impasse, the doctors expressed appreciation for previous efforts by the state government and voiced optimism that Governor Alia’s involvement could resolve the crisis swiftly. They argued that a rapid settlement would not only halt the strike but also accelerate the hospital’s evolution into a world-class institution, benefiting patients and staff alike. As the standoff continues, concerns mount over its impact on essential services at one of Benue’s premier healthcare facilities.