Author: The Nation

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commended President Bola Tinubu for his intervention in resolving the ongoing standoff with the Federal Government over members’ welfare and the state of health-sector infrastructure in the country.

While the union expressed appreciation for the Federal Government’s commitment, as conveyed by President Bola Tinubu through Vice President Kashim Shettima, it stated that the agreement, which led to the suspension of its “Total Strike 2.0,” remains subject to review within two weeks. 

The union further warned that failure to fully implement the immediate reinstatement of two of the seven previously disengaged doctors could become a fresh source of contention.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, flanked by union executives, insisted that the recommendation to transfer two of its members out of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, is unacceptable and firmly rejected by the association.

He explained that although discussions are ongoing, the association has made it unequivocally clear that the redeployment of the affected doctors is unacceptable, warning that such a move could set a dangerous precedent for collective labour action nationwide.

“There is a clear commitment that all our members should return to Lokoja. Anything short of that is unacceptable to us,” Suleiman said, stressing that allowing transfers could legitimise punitive redeployments of union leaders for legitimate labour agitation.

While commending the government for the steps taken so far to avert a nationwide strike, Suleiman highlighted several of the union’s demands that have recorded measurable progress in their resolution.

On welfare matters, NARD disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has formally communicated with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation on the implementation of the corrected professional allowance, adding that the provision has been captured in the 2026 budget proposal.

The association also confirmed that, following interventions by key stakeholders, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has written to the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation regarding the urgent need to clear the outstanding 25.5 percent CONMESS arrears. 

Suleiman expressed optimism that payment would be expedited.

In addition, he said promotion arrears owed to medical officers from 2020 to 2024 have been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance, noting that discussions are ongoing and that assurances have been received that a payment plan will be developed soon.

Similarly, salary arrears owed to four federal health institutions have been transmitted from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Finance, with engagements continuing on an expanded payment framework.

Suleiman also confirmed that the Federal Ministry of Health has communicated with Chief Medical Directors nationwide on the approved entry level for medical doctors in the civil service, in line with the directive of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. 

The NARD president confirmed that the letters have been acknowledged by relevant implementing authorities.

The union commended the constitution of a multi-stakeholder committee comprising the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Committee of Chief Medical Directors, the Postgraduate Medical Colleges and NARD, chaired by the Director of Hospital Services, to address issues of membership certificate recategorisation and the non-issuance of Part I postgraduate certificates. 

However, it made several demands callinh for the swift resolution of House Officers’ welfare concerns, immediate implementation of the professional allowance from January 2026 with payment of all arrears, and sustained engagement to clear outstanding salary and allowance arrears across federal and state health institutions. 

It also rejected the proposed six-month job evaluation timeline, demanded urgent intervention to address decaying infrastructure and obsolete equipment, and called for the reconvening of the Special Pension Benefits Committee alongside accelerated implementation of all previously agreed demands.

Based on these developments, NARD stated that it has given the Federal Government a two-week window to implement the agreed-upon measures, after which the situation will be reviewed at the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting later this month.

Read Also: BREAKING: NARD suspends nationwide strike

Praising Vice President Shettima for his intervention, and noting that he acted on behalf of the President and demonstrated strong commitment to resolving the dispute, Suleiman said, “If we did not believe in the sincerity and capacity of the Vice President, we would already be on strike,” NARD said, explaining that the decision to shelve industrial action was based on agreed timelines and visible progress.

Addressing concerns over the reported ₦90 billion allocation for health sector remuneration, he clarified that the 2026 budget proposal is still before the National Assembly and that remuneration-related provisions could be captured under different budget components, including personnel costs and service-wide votes.

While he recalled that previous arrears were lost when service-wide votes were suspended in successive budget cycles, forcing President Tinubu in 2025 to make special provisions to clear them, Suleiman said it was that development that informed the union’s insistence on firm budgetary guarantees before suspending strike action.

“It is not about whether ₦90 billion has been sighted in the budget yet,” he said, noting that less than 20 percent of the amount would go to resident doctors, with the bulk benefiting other health workers and senior doctors.

He urged the public to focus on the broader issue of healthcare worker welfare and system sustainability, while reaffirming NARD’s commitment to continued engagement with the Federal Government and the National Assembly.