Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
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) for another month. The decision followed the conclusion of NARD’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 NARD’s President Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim, the association expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Plateau State Governor, and other stakeholders for their roles in ongoing engagements with the government. While acknowledging what it described as progress by federal authorities in addressing some of its demands, NARD emphasised that key agreements remain unfulfilled and stressed the urgency of full implementation within four weeks.
The ultimatum reflects deep frustration among resident doctors over delays in paying salary arrears, allowances and welfare entitlements, despite assurances by relevant ministries and agencies that some arrears are being processed. NARD’s communiqué noted that improvements such as the reinstatement of disengaged doctors at Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and movement on CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure) and accoutrement allowance arrears had been made, but it expressed concern over continued delays in circulating the directive affirming CONMESS 3 as the approved entry level for medical doctors, among other outstanding issues.
The association also highlighted lapses in the payment of Professional Allowance as provided for in the 2026 Appropriation Act, persistent salary arrears across several federal health institutions, and delays in the release of training funds and promotions that affect doctors’ welfare. These concerns have been central to a protracted dispute between NARD and the Federal Government, which has previously led to prolonged industrial actions.
Despite the ultimatum, NARD resolved to extend the suspension of its Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike for four more weeks as a “goodwill gesture” and to allow continued monitoring of government actions pertaining to the issues raised. The extension is conditional on satisfactory progress within the ultimatum period, with the association warning that failure to meet the deadline could trigger the resumption of TICS or other forms of industrial action.
Resident doctors play a critical role in Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly in tertiary hospitals where they provide frontline services across emergency and specialist care. Their earlier strike, which lasted nearly four weeks, was suspended in late November 2025 after NARD and the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that set timelines for addressing several of the union’s demands. However, subsequent delays in implementing the MoU’s provisions prompted renewed warnings from the association.
NARD’s ultimatum comes amid broader concerns over the state of Nigeria’s health sector, where doctors and other health professionals have repeatedly cited stagnant wages, unpaid allowances, inadequate welfare provisions and poor working conditions as factors fuelling industrial unrest. Advocacy groups and health sector analysts have warned that unresolved disputes risk disrupting medical services nationwide, particularly in public hospitals that rely heavily on resident doctors to deliver care.
The government’s response to the latest ultimatum will be closely watched, with healthcare users and civil society stakeholders expressing hope for constructive engagement that addresses longstanding grievances without compromising service delivery. As the ultimatum period unfolds, further negotiations between NARD leadership and federal authorities are expected, with potential implications for healthcare stability and workforce morale across Nigeria.
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