Resident doctors give FG four weeks to meet demands

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors(NARD) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the federal government to fullyimplement outstanding agreements on salaries, allowances and welfare. The decision was taken at the end of theassociation’s national executive council (NEC) meeting and scientificconference, held from January 25 to 29, 2026, in Jos, Plateau state. In a communiqué signed by Mohammad Suleiman,NARD president, the association expressed appreciation to President BolaTinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and other key stakeholders for theirroles in ongoing engagements. The NEC acknowledged the reinstatement ofdisengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and commended theintervention of the ministry of labour and employment and the integratedpayroll and personnel information system (IPPIS) on the outstanding 25 and 35percent consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) and accoutrementallowance arrears. NARD also noted that promotion and salaryarrears had been forwarded to relevant authorities, with assurances from theminister of finance that payments would be expedited. However, the association expressed concernover delays in circulating the directive affirming CONMESS 3 as the approvedentry level for medical doctors. It also decried the non-payment of theprofessional allowance provided for in the 2026 Appropriation Act andpersistent salary arrears across several health institutions. The association warned of worsening industrialrelations at the Benue state University Teaching Hospital and demanded urgentaction, alongside calls for improved welfare, timely release of training fundsand renewed investment in health infrastructure nationwide. “The NEC demands the expeditious clearance ofthe outstanding 25%/35% CONMESS arrears and accoutrement allowance arrearswithin the assured two weeks, as committed by the Integrated Payroll andPersonnel Information System (IPPIS), following the intervention of the FederalMinistry of Labour and Employment,” the communique reads. “The NEC demands the prompt payment of allpromotion arrears already forwarded to the appropriate authorities, in linewith the assurances of the Honourable Minister of Finance for payment withinthe next four (4) weeks. “The NEC demands the expedited payment of alloutstanding salary arrears owed to specific centres, which have been dulyforwarded to the Federal Ministry of Finance for processing, within the assuredfour (4) week timeline. “After exhaustive deliberations and inrecognition of the progress made by the Federal Government towards addressingthe legitimate demands of Nigerian resident doctors, the NEC has resolved toextend the suspension of the Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS) for afurther period of four (4) weeks as a further goodwill gesture, to allow forthe full implementation of the Association’s demands.” The association had earlier suspended its planto commence another strike on January 12. The doctors said this was done after firmcommitments from critical stakeholders following Shettima’s intervention.

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