The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended the resumption of its strike, originally scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026. The decision, however, is conditional and will be reviewed at NARD’s next National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, set to begin on January 25.
In a communiqué issued after a virtual Emergency NEC meeting on January 11 and signed by Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD said the suspension followed commitments from key stakeholders, including the Federal Ministries of Health, Labour, and Finance; the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; the Office of the Accountant-General; IPPIS; the Budget Office; chief medical directors; the National Assembly; and the Department of State Services. NARD also highlighted the intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, as a critical factor in the decision.
The communiqué stated: “Following firm commitments from critical stakeholders including FMoH&SW, FMoL&E, FMoF, OHCSF, OAGF, IPPIS, DG Budget, CCMDs, the National Assembly, DG DSS, and notably the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and based on the direct presidential intervention led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, the NEC unanimously resolved to suspend the resumption of TICS 2.0. This suspension is strategic and conditional, allowing room to objectively review tangible progress at the January NEC meeting commencing 25th January 2026.”
NARD reported progress on several outstanding issues. The crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja has been resolved through the implementation of a previous committee report and the establishment of a new reconciliation committee. Verified lists for the outstanding 25%/35% CONMESS arrears have been forwarded to IPPIS, with the Ministry of Labour writing to the Ministry of Finance to ensure prompt payment. Lists for promotion and salary arrears have also been sent to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office, with assurances of an expedited payment plan.
Regarding entry-level placement, the Ministry of Health will write to hospital chief executives to reaffirm CONMESS 3 as the recognized entry point. On locum practice and work-hour regulation, a multi-stakeholder committee comprising FMoH&SW, CCMDs, NMA, and NARD has been formed, with preliminary activities already underway. Steps toward full implementation of the specialist allowance have begun.
For house officers’ welfare, the Ministry of Labour has intervened, while the Ministry of Health is expected to engage the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria on salary delays and arrears. NARD has also established a committee to address membership re-categorisation, with ongoing efforts to resolve salary and allowance arrears in state and private facilities. A circular on the professional allowance table has been released, with implementation expected from January salaries and arrears to be captured in the 2026 budget.
NARD had previously announced plans to commence a Total, Indefinite, and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0) from January 12, citing the Federal Government’s failure to implement agreements reached with resident doctors, including those in a Memorandum of Understanding. The decision was taken at an Emergency NEC meeting on January 2.
However, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, issued an order on Friday restraining NARD and its members from proceeding with the strike. Justice Emmanuel Subilim granted the order following an ex parte motion filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation, argued by the Director of Civil Litigation at the Ministry of Justice, Maimuna Lami Shiru.
