Amanze Chinonye
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike after the Federal Government pledged to resolve outstanding salary, welfare and working-condition issues affecting its members, Prime Business Africa reports.
NARD had scheduled its Total and Comprehensive Industrial Strike (TICS) to begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, August 10, following unresolved demands raised at its July National Executive Council meeting in Gombe State.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHowever, the association’s Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting on Friday resolved to suspend the strike until August 31, giving the government time to implement commitments reached during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa.
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The meeting, held on August 4 at the instance of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, was attended by officials of the Federal Ministries of Health and Social Welfare and Labour and Employment, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and representatives of NARD.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, NARD said the Federal Ministry of Finance had approved ₦84 billion for the payment of 19 months of outstanding Professional Allowance Table arrears, subject to verification of beneficiaries and transmission of the payment mandate.
The association also said the government had committed to completing the reconciliation and payment of outstanding 25% and 35% upward-review arrears under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) within four weeks.
Resident doctors omitted from the initial 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) payment are also expected to be identified, reconciled and paid within the same four-week period, NARD said.
The association further said outstanding salary and promotion arrears captured under Batches 7 and 9 had been processed, with Batch 7 already funded and Batch 9 awaiting funding. It said affected doctors were expected to receive their payments within one week.
NARD also welcomed the payment of July salaries and outstanding arrears owed to House Officers, while demanding compliance with an agreement that their salaries should henceforth be paid on or before the 10th day of every month.
The doctors, however, said salary arrears remained outstanding at some federal hospitals, including the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
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At the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, July salaries had been paid, but outstanding arrears remained, while doctors at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital had received two to three months of arrears, with three months still outstanding, according to NARD.
On working conditions, the association called for the expedited implementation of recommendations by a ministerial committee examining excessive workloads, prolonged call-duty hours and the casualisation of doctors.
NARD also demanded the immediate issuance of a national minimum security protocol for healthcare workers amid concerns over assaults, intimidation and violence against medical personnel.
The association said the protocol should provide measures to prevent attacks on healthcare workers, facilitate the prosecution of offenders and support legislation prescribing stronger penalties for perpetrators.
NARD further said the government had agreed to conclude outstanding processes relating to the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement for transmission to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and subsequent provision in the 2027 National Budget.
On call-duty meals, the association said an agreement had been reached for 50 resident doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital to receive meals valued at ₦4,000 per call duty from September 1.
It directed NARD centres where call-duty meals were not currently provided to give their respective hospital managements three weeks to commence the provision.
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The association also raised concerns over alleged victimisation and intimidation of its members in the Federal Capital Territory, describing such actions as a breach of the understanding reached at the Presidential Villa that no party to the agreement would be victimised.
Despite suspending the strike, NARD warned that the decision should not be interpreted as a withdrawal of its demands.
It said its National Officers’ Committee would monitor the implementation of the agreements and report progress to the NEC, which will review the situation on August 31.
NARD said the suspension was a gesture of goodwill and an opportunity for continued engagement with the government, but stressed that the commitments must translate into verifiable action within the agreed timelines.
The association warned that failure to implement the agreements could prompt a fresh review of its position after the August 31 deadline.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
