The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike earlier scheduled for Monday, January 12, following fresh commitments from the Federal Government to address doctors’ unpaid allowances, promotions, and working conditions.
The decision was taken on Sunday after an emergency virtual meeting of NARD’s National Executive Council (NEC), convened to review the progress of discussions with key government agencies and to assess whether the association’s demands were being adequately addressed.
Announcing the development in a statement, the NARD Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, said the strike, tagged Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0), was suspended to allow further engagement with relevant stakeholders.
“The suspension is strategic and conditional, allowing room to objectively review tangible progress at the January NEC meeting beginning January 25,” Dr. Ibrahim said.
He explained that the NEC unanimously agreed to suspend the strike after receiving firm commitments from the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Labour and Employment, and Finance, as well as other institutions, including the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), the Budget Office, the National Assembly, and the Office of the Vice President.
According to Dr. Ibrahim, the agreements followed the direct intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
He said progress had been recorded on several of NARD’s key demands. The committee set up to investigate the crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, has implemented its recommendations, while a reconciliation committee has also been established to promote workplace harmony.
Dr. Ibrahim added that verified lists for the outstanding 25 per cent and 35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears had been submitted to IPPIS, while the Ministry of Labour had engaged the Ministry of Finance to ensure prompt payment. He said similar steps had been taken regarding accoutrement allowances, promotion arrears, and outstanding salary backlogs.
“The Minister of State for Finance has acknowledged receipt of the relevant lists, and engagements are ongoing to ensure the speedy implementation of an effective payment plan,” he said.
He further disclosed that clarifications on skipping and entry-level placement, recognising CONMESS Three as the official entry point, would be communicated to all hospital chief executives to ensure uniform application across the system.
On working hours and locum practice, Dr. Ibrahim said a multi-stakeholder committee had been constituted, with meetings already underway to ensure compliance with national guidelines. He added that steps were also being taken to fully implement specialist allowances and to resolve salary delays affecting house officers.
According to him, another committee has been established to address membership re-categorisation in line with regulatory and training standards, while engagements are ongoing with state and private hospitals to ensure that salary and allowance arrears are paid in accordance with federal agreements.
Dr. Ibrahim also stated that the circular on professional allowances had been released, with full implementation expected to commence with January salaries, while 18 months’ arrears have been captured in the 2026 budget.
He said NARD would continue to press for the immediate resumption and timely conclusion of negotiations on the doctors’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
NARD had earlier announced plans to resume strike action from January 12 over unresolved welfare, promotion, allowance, and working-condition issues, following the suspension of a nationwide strike in November 2025.
However, on Friday, the National Industrial Court in Abuja issued an interim order restraining NARD, its members, and agents from embarking on any industrial action, pending a hearing scheduled for January 21.
The suit was filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, on behalf of the Federal Government, against NARD and its leadership, seeking to ensure compliance with extant labour laws.
