The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned resumption of a total, indefinite and complete strike earlier scheduled to begin on Monday, Jan. 12.
The decision followed an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on Sunday.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the Secretary-General of NARD, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, said the NEC met to review the status of the association’s demands and assess progress made through engagements with relevant government stakeholders.
According to him, the suspension of the strike is strategic and conditional, aimed at creating space to objectively evaluate tangible outcomes at the association’s January NEC meeting slated to begin on Jan. 25.
Ibrahim explained that the NEC unanimously resolved to suspend the strike after receiving firm commitments from the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Labour, and Finance.
He added that other stakeholders involved in the engagements included the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the Budget Office, Committees of Chief Medical Directors, the Department of State Services, the National Assembly and the Vice President.
The NARD official said the commitments were secured following the direct intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
On specific demands, Ibrahim said the committee set up to address the crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, had implemented its recommendations, while a reconciliation committee was also inaugurated to promote workplace harmony.
He disclosed that verified lists for the outstanding 25 and 35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears had been forwarded to IPPIS, with the Ministry of Labour engaging the Ministry of Finance to facilitate prompt payment.
He noted that progress recorded on accoutrement allowance followed a similar process, while lists for promotion and salary arrears had been transmitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office for immediate action.
Ibrahim said the Minister of State for Finance had acknowledged receipt of the submissions, adding that engagements were ongoing to ensure the speedy implementation of a workable payment plan.
He further stated that clarification on skipping and entry-level placement, recognising CONMESS Three as the approved entry point, would be communicated to all chief executives of hospitals to ensure uniform application.
According to him, a multi-stakeholder committee has been constituted to address issues relating to locum practice and work-hour regulations, with preliminary meetings already held to ensure compliance with national guidelines.
He said concrete steps had also been taken towards the full implementation of the specialist allowance, while interventions were ongoing to resolve delays and arrears in house officers’ salaries through regulatory engagements.
Ibrahim added that a separate committee had been established to handle membership re-categorisation in collaboration with relevant regulatory bodies and training institutions to ensure compliance with professional standards.
He said the association would continue to engage with state governments and private medical centres to ensure that salary and allowance arrears were settled in line with gains recorded at the federal level.
On professional allowances, Ibrahim said the relevant circular had been released, with full implementation expected to commence with January salaries, while 18 months’ arrears had been captured in the 2026 budget.
He reaffirmed NARD’s commitment to pressing for the immediate resumption and timely conclusion of negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement for all doctors.
Earlier, the association had announced plans to resume strike action from Jan. 12 over unresolved issues relating to welfare, promotion, allowances and conditions of service, following the suspension of a nationwide strike in November 2025.
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja had, on Friday, issued an interim order restraining NARD, its members and agents from embarking on industrial action from Jan. 12, pending the hearing of the matter on Jan. 21.
The suit was instituted by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Government against the association and its leadership to ensure compliance with labour laws.
