Resident doctors extend strike suspension by four weeks

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to fully implement outstanding agreements on salaries, allowances and welfare, warning that failure to do so could trigger renewed industrial action.

The decision was reached at the end of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and scientific conference held in Jos, Plateau State, from January 25 to 29, 2026.

In a communiqué signed by its president, Mohammad Suleiman, NARD said the four-week window was granted as a final opportunity for the government to address its demands.

“The NEC demands the expeditious clearance of the outstanding 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS arrears and accoutrement allowance arrears within the assured two weeks, as committed by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS),” the communiqué said.

The association said it acknowledged the intervention of the Ministry of Labour and Employment and IPPIS, which it credited for progress made on the payment of salary arrears and the reinstatement of disengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.

NARD also said promotion arrears had been forwarded to the relevant authorities, with assurances from the Minister of Finance that the payments would be made soon.

“The NEC demands the prompt payment of all promotion arrears already forwarded to the appropriate authorities, in line with the assurances of the Honourable Minister of Finance for payment within the next four weeks,” it said.

However, the association expressed concern over delays in the circulation of the directive affirming CONMESS 3 as the approved entry level for medical doctors and the non-payment of professional allowances provided for in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

It also decried the continued accumulation of salary arrears in several federal health institutions and warned of worsening industrial relations at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.

“The NEC demands the expedited payment of all outstanding salary arrears owed to specific centres, which have been duly forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Finance for processing, within the assured four-week timeline,” the communiqué added.

The resident doctors said they had resolved to extend the suspension of their planned strike action as a goodwill gesture, while giving the government more time to act.

“After exhaustive deliberations and in recognition of the progress made by the Federal Government, the NEC has resolved to extend the suspension of the Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike for a further four weeks, to allow for the full implementation of the association’s demands,” it said.

NARD had earlier suspended its plan to commence another strike on January 12, following what it described as firm commitments from critical stakeholders after the intervention of Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

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