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.
The decision was taken at the end of the
association’s national executive council (NEC) meeting and scientific
conference, held from January 25 to 29, 2026, in Jos, Plateau state.
In a communiqué signed by Mohammad Suleiman,
NARD president, the association expressed appreciation to President Bola
Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and other key stakeholders for their
roles in ongoing engagements.
The NEC acknowledged the reinstatement of
disengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and commended the
intervention of the ministry of labour and employment and the integrated
payroll and personnel information system (IPPIS) on the outstanding 25 and 35
percent consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) and accoutrement
allowance arrears.
NARD also noted 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 provided for in the 2026 Appropriation Act and
persistent salary arrears across several health institutions.
The association warned of worsening industrial
relations at the Benue state University Teaching Hospital and demanded urgent
action, alongside calls for improved welfare, timely release of training funds
and renewed investment in health infrastructure nationwide.
“The NEC demands the expeditious clearance of
the outstanding 25%/35% CONMESS arrears and accoutrement allowance arrears
within the assured two weeks, as committed by the Integrated Payroll and
Personnel Information System (IPPIS), following the intervention of the Federal
Ministry of Labour and Employment,” the communique reads.
“The NEC demands the prompt payment of all
promotion arrears already forwarded to the appropriate authorities, in line
with the assurances of the Honourable Minister of Finance for payment within
the next four (4) weeks.
“The NEC demands the expedited payment of all
outstanding salary arrears owed to specific centres, which have been duly
forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Finance for processing, within the assured
four (4) week timeline.
“After exhaustive deliberations and 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 (TICS) for a
further period of four (4) weeks as a further goodwill gesture, to allow for
the full implementation of the Association’s demands.”
The association had earlier suspended its plan
to commence another strike on January 12.
The doctors said this was done after firm
commitments from critical stakeholders following Shettima’s intervention.
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