Resident doctors call off strike after VP Shettima’s intervention, set January 25 deadline

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned indefinite strike earlier scheduled to resume on Monday, following assurances from the Federal Government and the direct intervention of Vice-President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

The decision was taken at a virtual emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (E-NEC) held on January 11, 2026, where members reviewed developments on their long-standing demands and evaluated progress made through engagements with key government agencies.

Secretary-General of NARD, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, described the suspension as “conditional and strategic,” noting that it was intended to allow time for verification of government commitments ahead of the association’s next NEC meeting slated for January 25, 2026.

“Following firm commitments from critical stakeholders across government and based on direct presidential intervention led by the vice-president, the NEC unanimously resolved to suspend the resumption of TICS 2.0,” Ibrahim said. “This is not a withdrawal of our demands but an opportunity to assess concrete implementation and measurable outcomes.”

He said the council reviewed all outstanding issues affecting resident doctors and observed progress in several areas, including the crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, which he said had been resolved.

According to him, a reconciliation committee made up of chief medical directors, the Federal Ministry of Health and NARD has been constituted to ensure that resident doctors remain at the Lokoja hospital and to broker lasting peace between the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) and the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) in the facility.

On the outstanding 25 and 35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears, Ibrahim said verified lists had been submitted 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 fast-track payment.

“NARD will maintain close engagement to ensure these arrears are paid without further delay,” he said, adding that similar progress had been recorded on the outstanding accoutrement allowance.

The secretary-general also disclosed that on promotion and salary arrears, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had forwarded relevant lists to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office, noting that the Minister of State for Finance had acknowledged receipt.

“We are now engaging to secure a clear and expedited payment timeline,” he said.

Ibrahim further said the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation had clarified that CONMESS 3 remains the recognised entry level for resident doctors, with a formal circular expected to be issued to chief executives of hospitals to eliminate ambiguity.

He added that a multi-stakeholder committee comprising the Ministry of Health, chief medical directors, the Nigerian Medical Association and NARD had been set up to address medical practice standards and work-hour regulation, noting that preliminary work had already commenced.