Resident Doctors Issue FG Four-Week Ultimatum Over Salaries, Allowances

 

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a four-week ultimatum to fully implement outstanding agreements bordering on salaries, allowances and general welfare of its members, warning that failure to do so could reignite industrial action.

The ultimatum followed the resolution reached at 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 intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other key stakeholders in ongoing engagements aimed at addressing the doctors’ demands.

The association commended the reinstatement of disengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Labour and Employment as well as the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in addressing the backlog of 25 per cent and 35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and accoutrement allowance arrears.

NARD also disclosed that promotion and salary arrears had been forwarded to the appropriate authorities, adding that assurances had been received from the Minister of Finance that payments would be expedited.

However, the association expressed concern over delays in the circulation of a directive affirming CONMESS 3 as the approved entry point for medical doctors, as well as the non-payment of the professional allowance captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

The doctors further lamented persistent salary arrears in several health institutions across the country and warned of deteriorating industrial relations at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, calling for urgent intervention.

NARD also demanded improved welfare conditions for resident doctors, timely release of training funds and renewed investment in health infrastructure nationwide.

According to the communiqué, the NEC demanded the clearance of all outstanding CONMESS and accoutrement allowance arrears within two weeks, as earlier assured by IPPIS, following the intervention of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The association also demanded the prompt payment of all promotion arrears within four weeks, in line with assurances from the Minister of Finance, as well as the settlement of outstanding salary arrears owed to affected centres within the same timeframe.

“In recognition of the progress made by the Federal Government towards addressing the legitimate demands of Nigerian resident doctors, the NEC has resolved to extend the suspension of the Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS) for an additional four weeks as a goodwill gesture,” the communiqué stated.

NARD had earlier suspended its planned strike scheduled to commence on January 12, following firm commitments from critical stakeholders, particularly after the intervention of Vice President Shettima.