NARD Halts January 12 Strike Following Shettima’s Intervention

NARD Halts January 12 Strike Following Shettima’s Intervention

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0), which was scheduled to resume on Monday, January 12, following fresh commitments from the Federal Government and the intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The decision was confirmed on Sunday in a statement issued by the NARD Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, after a virtual emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC).

According to Ibrahim, the meeting was convened to assess the status of NARD’s longstanding demands and to review progress made through ongoing engagements with key government agencies.

“The suspension is strategic and conditional, allowing room to objectively review tangible progress at the January NEC meeting beginning January 25,” he said.

He explained that the NEC unanimously resolved to suspend the strike after receiving firm assurances from the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Labour, and Finance, alongside other stakeholders including the Office of the Head of Civil Service, Accountant-General’s Office, IPPIS, Budget Office, Chief Medical Directors’ Committees, Department of State Services (DSS), the National Assembly, and the Vice President’s Office.

Ibrahim said the commitments were secured following direct intervention by Vice President Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

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On specific demands, he noted that the committee set up to address the crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, had implemented its recommendations, while a reconciliation committee was established to promote workplace harmony.

He added that verified lists for the 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 had also been recorded on accoutrement allowance, with promotion and salary arrears lists transmitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office for immediate action.

According to Ibrahim, the Minister of State for Finance acknowledged receipt of the documents, with engagements ongoing to ensure the swift rollout 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 hospital chief executives nationwide to ensure uniform implementation.

A multi-stakeholder committee has also been constituted to regulate locum practice and work-hour policies, while concrete steps have been taken toward full implementation of the specialist allowance.

Efforts are equally underway to resolve house officers’ salary delays and arrears, while a separate committee has been established to manage membership re-categorisation in line with professional standards.

Ibrahim said NARD would collaborate with state and private medical centres to ensure the payment of salaries and allowances in line with federal benchmarks.

On professional allowances, he disclosed that the relevant circular had been released, with full implementation expected from January salaries, while 18 months’ arrears have been captured in the 2026 budget.

He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to ensuring the immediate resumption and timely conclusion of negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for doctors.

The development comes after NARD had announced plans to resume strike action over unresolved issues bordering on welfare, promotion, allowances, and working conditions, following the suspension of a nationwide strike in November 2025.

Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court, Abuja, had on Friday issued an interim order restraining NARD, its members, and agents from embarking on industrial action from January 12, pending a hearing scheduled for January 21.

The suit was filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Government against NARD and its leadership to enforce compliance with labour laws.

NARD Halts January 12 Strike Following Shettima’s Intervention