The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has put on hold its planned nationwide shutdown, tagged ‘Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike’, TICS 2.0, which was scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12, after high-level intervention by Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
The suspension was confirmed on Sunday, January 11, by the association’s Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, following a virtual session of NARD’s National Executive Council where progress made on its outstanding demands was reviewed.
According to Ibrahim, the council resolved to pause the industrial action on a conditional basis, pending further evaluation of concrete outcomes at its next meeting slated for January 25.
He explained that assurances were obtained from critical government institutions, notably the Federal Ministries of Health, Labour and Finance, signalling renewed commitment to resolving the doctors’ concerns.
Ibrahim also revealed that the crisis resolution committee set up for the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, had acted on its mandate by implementing key recommendations and inaugurating a reconciliation panel.
He said authenticated records covering unpaid 25 and 35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, COMESS, arrears had been forwarded to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS, for processing, while documentation on accoutrement allowances, promotions and salary backlogs had been submitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office.
On entry-level placement, Ibrahim noted that confirmation recognising CONMESS Three as the starting grade would be formally conveyed to all chief executives of hospitals to ensure uniform application across the system.
He further disclosed that a multi-agency committee has been established to address issues relating to locum practice and doctors’ working hours, with initial meetings already held to align practices with national regulations.
Ibrahim said measurable progress has also been recorded toward full enforcement of the specialist allowance, alongside ongoing regulatory engagement aimed at resolving persistent salary delays and arrears affecting house officers.
In addition, he stated that a dedicated committee has been constituted to oversee membership reclassification in partnership with relevant regulatory bodies and training institutions, to ensure compliance with professional benchmarks.
The NARD secretary-general added that the association would engage state governments and private health facilities to ensure the settlement of salary and allowance arrears in line with improvements secured at the federal level.
On professional allowances, he said the necessary circular had been issued, with full implementation expected to reflect in January salaries, while arrears spanning 18 months have been captured in the 2026 budget.
He reaffirmed NARD’s commitment to pressing for the immediate resumption and timely conclusion of negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement covering all categories of doctors.
The association had earlier announced plans to resume strike action over unresolved welfare, promotion, allowance and working-condition issues, but the National Industrial Court issued an order restraining the action pending a hearing scheduled for January 21.
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