The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended the planned resumption of its ‘Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike’ (TICS 2.0), earlier scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12.
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The decision was announced on Sunday in a statement by the association’s Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, following a virtual emergency meeting of NARD’s National Executive Council (NEC).
According to Ibrahim, the meeting was convened to review the status of the association’s demands and assess the level of progress made through ongoing engagements with key government stakeholders.
He said the suspension of the strike was strategic and conditional, allowing time to objectively evaluate tangible outcomes at the next NEC meeting slated to commence on January 25.
Ibrahim disclosed that the NEC unanimously agreed to suspend the strike after receiving firm commitments from the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Labour and Employment, and Finance, as well as other stakeholders including the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General, the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the Budget Office, Committees of Chief Medical Directors, the Department of State Services, the National Assembly, and the Vice President.
He noted that the commitments followed the direct intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
On the association’s demands, Ibrahim said the committee set up to address the crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, had implemented its recommendations, while a reconciliation committee had been inaugurated to promote workplace harmony.
He added that verified lists for outstanding 25 per cent and 35 per cent CONMESS arrears had been forwarded to IPPIS, while the Ministry of Labour had engaged the Ministry of Finance to ensure prompt payment.
Progress, he said, had also been recorded on accoutrement allowances, with promotion and salary arrears transmitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office for immediate action. The Minister of State for Finance, he added, has acknowledged receipt of the submissions, with discussions ongoing to ensure the timely implementation of a payment plan.
Ibrahim further explained that clarification on skipping and entry-level placement, recognising CONMESS Three as the entry point, would be communicated to all chief executives of hospitals to ensure uniform understanding.
He disclosed that a multi-stakeholder committee had been constituted to address locum practice and work-hour regulations, with preliminary meetings already underway to ensure compliance with national guidelines.
According to him, concrete steps have also been taken towards the full implementation of the specialist allowance, while engagements continue to resolve delays and arrears in the payment of house officers’ salaries through regulatory interventions.
A separate committee, he said, has been established to handle membership re-categorisation in collaboration with relevant regulators and training institutions, in line with professional standards.
Ibrahim stated that NARD would also engage state governments and private medical centres to ensure that salary and allowance arrears are cleared in line with gains achieved at the federal level.
On professional allowances, he noted that the relevant circular had been issued, with full implementation expected to commence with January salaries, while 18 months’ arrears have been captured in the 2026 budget.
He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to pushing for the immediate resumption and timely conclusion of negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement for all doctors.
NARD had earlier announced plans to resume strike action from January 12 over unresolved issues relating to welfare, promotions, allowances, and working conditions, following the suspension of a nationwide strike in November 2025.
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Friday issued an interim order restraining NARD, its members, and agents from embarking on any industrial action from January 12, pending the hearing of the matter on January 21.
The suit was filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Government against NARD and its leadership to ensure compliance with labour laws.
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