The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended the planned resumption of its ‘Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike’ (TICS 2.0), which was scheduled to begin on Monday, Jan. 12.
The decision was confirmed on Sunday in a statement issued by the association’s Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, following a virtual emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC).
Ibrahim said the meeting was convened to review the status of the association’s demands and assess progress made through ongoing engagements with key government stakeholders.
According to him, the suspension of the strike is strategic and conditional, aimed at allowing the NEC to objectively evaluate tangible progress at its January meeting scheduled to begin on Jan. 25.
He explained that the decision followed firm commitments received from the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Labour, and Finance, as well as the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, the Accountant-General’s Office, IPPIS, the Budget Office, Chief Medical Directors’ Committees, the Department of State Services, the National Assembly and the Vice President.
Ibrahim said the commitments were secured after the direct intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
On the association’s demands, he said recommendations of the committee addressing the crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, had been implemented, while a reconciliation committee was constituted to promote workplace harmony.
He added that verified lists for outstanding 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS arrears had been forwarded to IPPIS, while the Ministry of Labour had engaged the Ministry of Finance to facilitate prompt payment.
Progress was also recorded on accoutrement allowance, promotion and salary arrears, with relevant lists transmitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office for immediate action.
Ibrahim noted that the Minister of State for Finance had acknowledged receipt of the documents, with engagements ongoing to ensure the speedy implementation of a viable payment plan.
He said clarification on skipping and entry-level placement, recognising CONMESS Three as the entry point, would be communicated to all hospital chief executives to ensure uniform understanding.
According to him, a multi-stakeholder committee has been set up to address locum practice and work-hour regulations, with preliminary meetings already underway to ensure compliance with national guidelines.
He said concrete steps had also been taken towards the full implementation of the specialist allowance, while interventions continued to address house officers’ salary delays and arrears.
Ibrahim disclosed that another committee had been established to manage membership re-categorisation in collaboration with relevant regulators and training institutions to ensure compliance with professional standards.
He added that NARD would engage state and private medical centres to ensure salary and allowance arrears were cleared in line with federal gains.
On professional allowances, he said the relevant circular had been released, with full implementation expected from January salaries, while 18 months’ arrears had been captured in the 2026 budget.
He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to pushing for the immediate resumption and timely conclusion of negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement for all doctors.
NARD had earlier announced plans to resume strike action over unresolved welfare, promotion, allowance and work-condition issues, after suspending a nationwide strike in November 2025.
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court in Abuja had issued an interim order restraining the association and its members from embarking on industrial action from Jan. 12, pending a hearing scheduled for Jan. 21, following a suit filed by the Federal Government.