The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned indefinite strike scheduled to resume on Monday, following assurances from the Federal Government and the intervention of Vice-President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
The decision was reached at a virtual emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (E-NEC) held on January 11, 2026, after a review of progress made on the doctors’ outstanding demands.
Secretary-General of NARD, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, described the suspension as “strategic and conditional,” stressing that it was aimed at allowing time to assess concrete implementation of government commitments ahead of the next NEC meeting fixed for January 25, 2026.
“Based on firm commitments from key stakeholders across government and direct presidential intervention led by the vice-president, the NEC unanimously resolved to suspend the resumption of TICS 2.0,” Ibrahim said.
He noted that the council reviewed all unresolved issues affecting resident doctors and recorded progress on several fronts, including the crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, which he said had been resolved.
Ibrahim disclosed that a reconciliation committee comprising chief medical directors, the Federal Ministry of Health and NARD had been constituted to ensure resident doctors remain at the Lokoja facility and to maintain peace between the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) and the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN).
On the outstanding 25 and 35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears, he said verified lists had been forwarded to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), adding that the Ministry of Labour and Employment had written to the Ministry of Finance to facilitate payment.
He added that progress had also been made on the payment of outstanding accoutrement allowances.
According to Ibrahim, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has transmitted lists relating to promotion and salary arrears to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office, with acknowledgment already received from the Minister of State for Finance.
He also said the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation had reaffirmed CONMESS 3 as the recognised entry level, while a multi-stakeholder committee had been set up to address issues relating to medical practice and work-hour regulation.
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