The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned strike earlier scheduled to resume on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The association said the suspension is conditional and will be reviewed at its next National Executive Council (NEC) meeting slated to begin on January 25, 2026.
The decision was taken during a virtual Emergency NEC meeting held on January 11, 2026, to assess progress on the association’s outstanding demands and ongoing engagements with government agencies. This was contained in a communiqué signed by NARD’s Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim.
According to the association, the decision followed commitments made by key stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the Budget Office, chief medical directors, the National Assembly and the Department of State Services.
NARD also acknowledged the intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who acted on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, as a major factor in suspending the strike.
“Following firm commitments from critical stakeholders and the direct presidential intervention led by the Vice President, acting on behalf of Mr President, the NEC unanimously resolved to suspend the resumption of TICS 2.0,” the communiqué stated, adding that the suspension is strategic and aimed at allowing an objective review of progress at the January NEC meeting.
The association said progress had been made on several issues, including the resolution of the crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, through the implementation of an earlier committee report and the establishment of a new reconciliation committee.
On the outstanding 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS arrears, NARD said verified lists had been forwarded to IPPIS, while the Ministry of Labour and Employment had written to the Ministry of Finance, with attention to IPPIS, to facilitate payment.
It also disclosed that lists for promotion and salary arrears had been submitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office, with assurances of an accelerated payment plan.
Regarding entry-level placement, NARD said the Ministry of Health would write to hospital chief executives to reaffirm CONMESS 3 as the approved entry point for resident doctors.
The association added that a multi-stakeholder committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Health, chief medical directors, the Nigerian Medical Association and NARD has been constituted to address locum practice and work-hour regulation, while steps are being taken toward full implementation of the specialist allowance.
On the welfare of house officers, NARD said the Ministry of Labour and Employment had intervened, with the Ministry of Health expected to engage the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria over salary delays and arrears.
It further noted that a committee has been set up to address membership re-categorisation and that efforts are ongoing to resolve salary and allowance arrears in state and private health facilities.
NARD also disclosed that a circular on the professional allowance table has been issued, with implementation expected to commence from the January salary, while arrears are to be captured in the 2026 budget.
The association had earlier announced plans to resume a Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0) from January 12, citing the Federal Government’s failure to implement agreements reached with resident doctors. The decision to embark on the strike was taken at an Emergency NEC meeting on January 2.
However, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, on Friday issued an order restraining NARD and its members from proceeding with the strike. The order was granted by Justice Emmanuel Subilim following a motion ex parte filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation, and argued by the Director of Civil Litigation at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Maimuna Lami Shiru.
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