The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given Federal Government a four-week deadline to implement all outstanding agreements on salaries, allowances and welfare or risk renewed industrial action.
Gatekeepers News reports that the association also agreed to continue the suspension of its Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS) for another four weeks as a goodwill gesture to allow government authorities complete the process.
At the end of its January National Executive Council meeting and scientific conference in Jos, Plateau State, the association said it was encouraged by progress made so far but remained concerned about several unresolved issues.
In a communique signed by NARD President Dr Mohammad Suleiman and other leaders, the group thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and key government agencies for their roles in ongoing talks.
NARD noted that disengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, have been reinstated after engagement with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, which has also assured that arrears on the 25 and 35 percent review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and accoutrement allowance will be cleared soon.
The association said promotion and other salary arrears had been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Finance with assurances that payments will be expedited, but it remains frustrated by delays in issuing the directive that confirms CONMESS 3 as the approved entry level for medical doctors and by the failure to pay the Professional Allowance provided in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
NARD also highlighted persistent salary arrears in many health facilities and warned that labour relations are deteriorating at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, urging urgent government action as well as better welfare, release of training funds, and more investment in health infrastructure.
The deadline follows months of tensions between the doctors and the government, including earlier threats of fresh nationwide strikes and previous deadlines for addressing arrears and other long-standing demands related to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, Medical Residency Training Fund, and allowances.
