Tag: Doctors

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called off its planned nationwide strike. The association cited the intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who stepped in to address the pressing concerns raised by the aggrieved doctors, as the reason for suspending the strike action.

The National President of NARD, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, confirmed this after a meeting by its National Executive Council, NEC.

He said the Vice President contacted NARD leadership and issued directives that led to the resolution of several outstanding issues, while appealing for additional time to allow other matters to be addressed.

“Following his intervention, the National Executive Council, NEC, of the association convened and unanimously resolved to respect the President’s efforts and halt the strike action that was scheduled to begin on January 12. This decision was reached just a few hours ago, and more information will be communicated shortly.”

He added that a detailed communiqué outlining the resolutions and next steps would be released in the coming days.

“Once I am fully recovered, I will also address the press to explain these issues in greater detail. For now, we are giving the government additional time to act in good faith.”

The suspension offers temporary relief to millions of Nigerians who depend on public health facilities and underscores ongoing negotiations aimed at averting a full-scale disruption of medical services nationwide.

NARD had on January 3 announced plans to resume a Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike, known as TICS 2.0, from January 12.

The association said the action was due to the Federal Government’s failure to implement agreements reached with resident doctors, including those contained in a Memorandum of Understanding.

The decision to embark on the strike was taken at an Emergency National Executive Council meeting held on January 2.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has announced plans to begin an indefinite nationwide strike on November 1, after the expiration of the 30-day ultimatum previously given to the Federal Government.

NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Saturday.

Suleiman stated that the association’s National Executive Council reached the decision after reviewing the government’s response to their demands during its virtual emergency meeting.

He noted that the strike notice would be formally issued within 24 hours as mandated by the NEC.

“The NEC of NARD has declared total and indefinite strike action starting November 1st of 2025. As a matter of fact, the NEC said all the 19 points are our minimum demands, and there is no going back. The notice for the strike will be out maybe later today or tomorrow,” Suleiman said.

The looming strike is expected to heavily impact services in hospitals across the country where resident doctors form the backbone of clinical care.

NARD noted that resident doctors and medical officers across the country continued to endure excessive and unregulated work hours, spanning several consecutive days, which endanger both their health and patient safety.

The association also raised concern over the nonpayment of the outstanding 25 per cent and 35 per cent upward review arrears of CONMESS, which should have been settled by the end of August 2025, despite several engagements with the Federal Government.

NARD described as unjust the dismissal of five resident doctors from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, saying the action came amid widespread burnout and the ongoing migration of medical professionals abroad.

Other grievances include the non-payment of promotion arrears owed to medical officers in various federal tertiary hospitals and the failure of the government to pay the 2024 accoutrement allowance, despite repeated assurances from the Ministry of Health.

It also cited bureaucratic delays in upgrading resident doctors’ ranks following successful completion of postgraduate medical examinations. The association said these delays have led to non-payment of new salary scales and accumulated arrears.

It further decried the exclusion of resident doctors from the specialist allowance, despite their vital role in delivering specialist-level clinical care to patients nationwide.

Similarly, NARD faulted the exclusion of medical and dental house officers from the civil service scheme, a policy that has denied them rightful emoluments, professional recognition, and timely payment of salaries.

The association also condemned the downgrading of newly employed resident doctors from CONMESS three Step three to CONMESS two Step two, which has resulted in salary shortages and arrears in several federal hospitals.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) will today (Wednesday) convene its National Executive Council meeting to decide on the next steps regarding its pending ultimatum to the Federal Government.

The association had earlier issued a 10-day ultimatum to relevant government agencies, warning that members would embark on a nationwide strike if their demands were not met.

The threat comes amid mounting pressure on Nigeria’s fragile public health system, which is already grappling with a shortage of doctors, poor infrastructure, and overcrowded hospitals.

Resident doctors, who constitute the majority of the medical workforce in teaching and specialist hospitals, have repeatedly gone on strike in recent years over unpaid wages, poor welfare, and inadequate working conditions.

Experts warn that another shutdown could cripple healthcare delivery, forcing patients to seek expensive private care and worsening health outcomes nationwide.

In a communiqué issued on September 1, 2025, and signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara; General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Omoha Amobi, the doctors demanded immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, and other long-standing salary backlogs.

They also demanded the payment of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears, prompt disbursement of specialist allowances, and restoration of the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates.

In addition, they called on the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to issue membership certificates to all deserving candidates, implement the 2024 CONMESS, resolve outstanding welfare issues in Kaduna State, and address the plight of resident doctors at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Tuesday, Dr. Osundara said the outcome of today’s NEC meeting would determine the association’s next step.

“We are holding our NEC meeting tomorrow (today), and the outcome will determine our next line of action. At the meeting, we will review whether the government has made any meaningful progress on addressing our demands. If there is a positive response, it will guide our decision, but if not, the council will take a firm stance on the next steps, including the possibility of industrial action,” he said.

NARD First Vice-President, Dr. Tajudeen Abdulrauf, also confirmed that the NEC would reconvene today to assess the situation.

“The outcome of the meeting will depend on the government’s response to our demands. If they are not addressed, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony, and a strike remains likely. Remember, we gave a three-week ultimatum in July and extended it. In the spirit of dialogue, the NEC mandated the National Officers’ Committee to engage stakeholders for another three weeks, yet nothing has been done. When we meet tomorrow, we will review the government’s response and decide on the next line of action,” Abdulrauf said.