The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday warned that it would resume a total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike if the Federal Government fails to implement agreed-upon demands within four weeks.
The announcement was made in a communique issued at the end of NARD’s Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, by its President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
The association had suspended its indefinite strike on Saturday after 29 days of industrial action, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the government.
The MoU committed the government to meet NARD’s demands within four weeks.
The communique stated, ‘The strike is suspended for four weeks to allow monitoring of implementation.
‘Failure to fully implement agreements will result in the resumption of a total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike’.
It added that the NEC had reviewed progress on various agreements with the Federal Government.
On the seven-month arrears of the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, it noted that the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System had processed payments up to December 2023, except for some failed or omitted payments, which NARD will reconcile with IPPIS.
Regarding the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance, it said a significant portion has been paid, but reconciliation of failed or omitted payments is still required.
It stated that for the five disengaged resident doctors at Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, the committee report has been submitted, and full implementation is expected within two weeks from 27 November 2025.
On prolonged work and call hours, the communique stated that an advisory has been issued discouraging excessive duties, and a taskforce has been set up to develop a formal policy within two months.
To address manpower shortages, workload, and burnout, the communique noted that the Minister has instructed the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to conclude one-to-one replacement, with feedback expected by 28 November 2025.
‘On promotion arrears, the list is to be transmitted to the Budget Office and Ministry of Finance within one month. On House Officers’ Scheme of Service exclusion, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission is to transmit benefits to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for implementation.
‘On the Universal CONMESS application, the Ministry of Health is mandated to apply it universally across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. The circular of the corrected professional allowances has been released. On casualisation of resident doctors, Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors are to standardise locum engagement—minimum six months; preference in recruitment, and the committee is to produce a policy within two months’, it noted.
The communique further stated that regarding specialist allowances for resident doctors, an OHCSF directive has been issued, and the NSIWC is responsible for implementation.
It also noted that the downgrading of the entry point from CONMESS 3 to 2 has been resolved, with the Ministry tasked to liaise with the Accountant General of the Federation/IPPIS for smooth upgrading. The slow progress of the Collective Bargaining Agreement committee has prompted the Ministries of Health, Labour, and Employment to expedite action.
The NEC emphasised that outstanding salaries and arrears in hospitals, including Otukpo, Owo, Ilorin, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, and Uyo, are to be transmitted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to the Budget Office and Ministry of Finance for payment within one month.
It said local issues in State Teaching Hospitals and Institutions and Federal Health Institutions, particularly at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, require urgent intervention.
It highlighted that special pension benefits under the Nigerian Medical Association MoU will be addressed with a letter forwarded to the PENCOM DG as the committee resumes sitting.
The NEC also noted the government’s acknowledgment of deteriorating infrastructure and obsolete equipment; and the Consultant cadres for other health professionals will be handled under the CBA, and progress has been noted on other MoU demands.
The association emphasized that strict monitoring of the government’s compliance will continue, and failure to fully implement the agreements within four weeks will prompt the resumption of industrial action.
The NEC resolved that the five disengaged FTH Lokoja doctors be fully reinstated within two weeks, while the 25–35 per cent CONMESS arrears, accoutrement allowance, specialist allowance for CONMESS 5 doctors, promotion arrears, and outstanding salaries/allowances for affected hospitals be immediately compiled, transmitted, and paid within one month.
It also resolved that a Central Taskforce Committee will address duty hours and locum policies within two months, the CBA exercise must resume and be completed on time, and the one-to-one replacement will be implemented to tackle manpower shortages.
All remaining agreements from conciliatory meetings must be implemented immediately. The strike has been suspended for four weeks to allow monitoring, but failure to comply will trigger a total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike.
‘All STHIs/FHIs with unresolved issues should continue industrial action until genuine commitments are made, and immediate resolution of all remaining agreements from conciliatory meetings’, it highlighted
