The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to fully implement long-standing agreements on salaries, allowances and welfare, warning that failure could reignite industrial action.
The decision followed the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and scientific conference, held between January 25 and 29, 2026, in Jos, Plateau State.
In a communiqué signed by its president, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, NARD acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other key stakeholders in ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving the crisis in the health sector.
The association commended the reinstatement of disengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and praised the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) over outstanding 25% and 35% CONMESS arrears and accoutrement allowances.
NARD also disclosed that promotion and salary arrears had been forwarded to the relevant authorities, with assurances from the Minister of Finance that payments would be fast-tracked.
However, the doctors expressed concern over delays in circulating the directive recognising CONMESS 3 as the approved entry level for medical doctors, alongside the non-payment of professional allowances captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The association further raised alarm over persistent salary arrears across several federal health institutions and worsening industrial relations at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, calling for urgent intervention.
NARD demanded improved welfare conditions, timely release of training funds, and renewed investment in health infrastructure nationwide.
As part of its resolutions, the NEC demanded the immediate clearance of all outstanding CONMESS and accoutrement allowance arrears within two weeks, payment of promotion arrears within four weeks, and settlement of salary arrears owed to affected centres.
Despite the concerns, resident doctors association announced it would extend the suspension of its Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS) by four weeks, describing the move as a goodwill gesture to allow the government time to meet its commitments.
The association had earlier suspended a planned strike scheduled for January 12, following assurances from key stakeholders after the intervention of Vice-President Shettima.
