The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide industrial action scheduled to commence on Monday, August 10, 2026, giving the Federal Government until August 31 to implement agreements reached with the association.
The association had threatened to embark on the strike over outstanding salary and allowance arrears, welfare concerns and other unresolved issues affecting resident doctors in federal health institutions.
In a communiqué issued after its extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Friday, NARD said it would suspend the action until August 31, when it would review the level of implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government.
The communiqué was signed by Mohammad Suleiman, NARD president; Shuaibu Ibrahim, secretary-general; and Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, publicity and social secretary.
The association said its decision followed progress recorded after a high-level meeting with government officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on August 4.
“In recognition of the intervention of the Chief of Staff to the President and other critical stakeholders, and as a demonstration of goodwill and NARD’s commitment to constructive engagement and industrial harmony, the E-NEC resolved to suspend the planned resumption of the Total and Comprehensive Industrial Strike (TICS) earlier scheduled to commence on Monday, 10th August 2026,” the communiqué said.
NARD, however, warned that the suspension should not be interpreted as abandonment of its demands, stressing that the government must translate the agreements reached into verifiable implementation within the agreed timelines.
The association said it would monitor compliance through its National Officers’ Committee before reviewing the situation on August 31.
Among its outstanding demands is the payment of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) entitlements, salary and promotion arrears, as well as remaining salary arrears owed resident doctors at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
NARD also demanded the immediate implementation of a national minimum security protocol for healthcare workers amid concerns over assaults, intimidation and violence against medical personnel.
The association said health institutions where meals were not being provided for doctors on call would be given a three-week ultimatum to commence adequate provision.
It further demanded the implementation of recommendations by the ministerial committee on excessive workload, prolonged call-duty hours and the casualisation of medical doctors.
NARD also called for the conclusion of outstanding processes relating to its demands and their transmission to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for circularisation and subsequent provision in the 2027 budget.
The association condemned alleged victimisation and intimidation of its members under the Federal Capital Territory Administration and called for the resolution of the issue.
NARD had in July threatened to commence a total and comprehensive nationwide strike from August 10 if the Federal Government failed to address its demands. The decision followed its ordinary general meeting in Gombe, where the association expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of implementation of previous agreements.
