The National Association of Resident Doctors has suspended its planned resumption of an indefinite strike earlier scheduled to begin on Monday, following fresh commitments from the Federal Government and other key stakeholders.
The association said the suspension was conditional and would be reviewed at its next National Executive Council meeting slated for January 25, 2026.
This decision was contained in a communiqué issued after an Emergency NEC meeting held virtually on January 11, 2026, and signed by NARD’s Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim.
According to the association, the move followed assurances from several government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Ministry of Finance, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant-General, IPPIS, the Budget Office, the National Assembly, and chief medical directors of federal hospitals.
NARD also acknowledged the intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, as critical to the decision.
“Following firm commitments from critical stakeholders and the direct presidential intervention led by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the NEC unanimously resolved to suspend the resumption of TICS 2.0,” the communiqué stated.
“This suspension is strategic and conditional, allowing room to objectively assess tangible progress at the January NEC meeting.”
The association said some progress had already been recorded, particularly in resolving the lingering crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, through the implementation of a previous committee report and the establishment of a new reconciliation committee.
On the issue of outstanding CONMESS arrears, NARD disclosed that verified payment lists had been forwarded to IPPIS.
“The Ministry of Labour has formally written to the Ministry of Finance with attention to IPPIS.
NARD will maintain close engagement to ensure prompt payment,” it said.
It added that lists for promotion and salary arrears had also been submitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office, with assurances of an accelerated payment plan.
Addressing concerns over entry-level placement, NARD said the Ministry of Health would issue a directive to hospital chief executives reaffirming CONMESS 3 as the recognised entry point for resident doctors.
On work conditions, the association disclosed that a multi-stakeholder committee had been constituted to address locum practice and work-hour regulation, involving representatives from the Ministry of Health, chief medical directors, the Nigerian Medical Association and NARD.
“Preliminary activities have commenced ahead of the committee’s formal inauguration. Concrete steps have also been taken toward full implementation of the specialist allowance,” the association said.
Regarding house officers’ welfare, NARD noted that the Ministry of Labour had intervened, while the Ministry of Health was expected to engage the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria over salary delays and arrears.
The association further revealed that a committee had been set up to resolve issues around membership re-categorisation, while efforts were ongoing to ensure payment of salary and allowance arrears in state-owned and private health facilities.
It also confirmed that a circular on the professional allowance table had been released, with implementation expected to begin from the January salary, while arrears would be captured in the 2026 budget.
NARD had earlier announced plans to embark on a Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0) from January 12, citing the Federal Government’s failure to fully implement agreements reached in previous Memoranda of Understanding.
However, the planned action was stalled after the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, issued an order restraining the association and its members from proceeding with the strike, following an ex parte application filed by the Federal Government.
