Amanze Chinonye
The Federal Government and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have reached an agreement to address the issues that prompted the association’s planned nationwide strike, following a high-level meeting convened by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Prime Business Africa reports.
The three-hour meeting, held on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, resulted in commitments to resolve outstanding concerns bordering on salaries, promotions, allowances and other welfare-related matters.
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NARD President, Dr Muhammad Suleiman, who addressed journalists after the meeting, said the government’s intervention had largely resolved the grievances that led to the planned industrial action.
“Today, I can tell you, our matters are solved,” Suleiman said, adding that the government had agreed to specific timelines for implementing resolutions reached during the meeting.
He, however, said the final decision on whether to suspend the strike would be taken by the association’s National Executive Council (NEC).
“I can’t stand here and tell you I have called off a strike. I have National Executive Council members. I will have a conversation and report all of this back. We will sit down and make a decision,” he said.
The planned strike, scheduled to begin on August 10, was triggered by unresolved issues including salary arrears, delayed promotions, welfare concerns and outstanding agreements between NARD and the Federal Government.
Suleiman commended Gbajabiamila’s intervention, describing it as a continuation of his efforts to resolve disputes involving resident doctors.
“This is not the first time the Chief of Staff has intervened in matters relating to resident doctors in this country. Whenever he comes into our issues, our matters are solved,” he said.
The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Labour, Health and Finance, the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation, as well as officials responsible for cash management and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Suleiman said the parties agreed on timelines for implementing salary adjustments, promotions and resolving the outstanding meal allowance issue affecting resident doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
“We have agreed on a figure. We have agreed on numbers,” he said, noting that implementation of some of the resolutions would commence within one week.
He also disclosed that the Presidency had directed that house officers should no longer experience prolonged salary delays, with an instruction that their salaries must be paid before the 10th day of every month.
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On the Collective Bargaining Agreement between NARD and the Federal Government, Suleiman said the Ministries of Labour and Health had been directed to accelerate negotiations to ensure the agreement is reflected in the 2027 budget.
The meeting also addressed concerns over increasing attacks on healthcare workers across the country. Suleiman said the Ministry of Health would issue directives to hospitals to strengthen security measures and launch public awareness campaigns against assaults on medical personnel.
He added that Gbajabiamila had pledged to support legislation that would classify assaults on health workers as an aggravated offence.
“The Chief of Staff has taken it upon himself to introduce legislation so that the National Assembly can come in with something that will make assault on health workers an aggravated offence,” Suleiman said.
The NARD president further disclosed that discussions covered outstanding arrears of hazard and specialist allowances. He noted that while the government had corrected the payment structure in February 2026, a 19-month backlog dating back to July 2024 remained unresolved.
According to him, the Budget Office would provide a payment timeline after reconciling the outstanding figures.
The agreement comes days after NARD issued a warning of an indefinite nationwide strike over unpaid obligations, welfare issues and unresolved agreements with the government.
The association’s NEC is expected to review the outcome of the meeting before announcing its final position on the planned industrial action.
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.
