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, even as it extended the suspension of its Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS).
The decision was reached at the end of the Association’s January National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and Scientific Conference, held from January 25 to 29, 2026, in Jos, Plateau State.
In a communiqué jointly signed by its President, Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Abdulmajid Ibrahim, NARD commended President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other stakeholders for their roles in ongoing engagements with the Association.
NARD said the extension of the strike suspension for another four weeks was a “goodwill gesture,” citing what it described as measurable progress made by the Federal Government.
“In recognition of the progress made by the Federal Government towards addressing the legitimate demands of Nigerian resident doctors, the NEC has resolved to extend the suspension of the Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike for a further period of four weeks,” the communiqué stated.
The January NEC meeting, the Association’s first statutory gathering of the year, was held alongside a scientific conference on January 27 at the Eliel Centre, Gold and Base, Jos.
The conference, themed ‘Innovating for Equity: Technology as a Bridge between Poverty and Health,’ was delivered by Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman, who was represented by Dr Peace Longdet.
The event was chaired by the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Piwuna Christopher, and was attended by several dignitaries, including the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, His Royal Majesty Jacob Gyang, who was represented. Leaders of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and chief medical directors of major health institutions were also in attendance.
Following extensive deliberations, the NEC acknowledged the reinstatement of disengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and commended the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in addressing the outstanding 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS and accoutrement allowance arrears.
According to the Association, IPPIS assured NARD that efforts were underway to clear the arrears within two weeks.
NARD also disclosed that promotion and salary arrears had been forwarded to relevant authorities, with assurances from the Minister of Finance that payments would be expedited.
However, the Association expressed concern over delays in circulating the directive affirming CONMESS 3 as the approved entry level for medical doctors. It also decried the non-payment of the Professional Allowance captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act, as well as persistent salary arrears across several health institutions.
The Association further warned of deteriorating industrial relations at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and called for urgent intervention, improved welfare packages, timely release of training funds and renewed investment in health infrastructure nationwide.
