The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday warned that it will resume a total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike if the Federal Government fails to implement agreed demands within four weeks.
The warning was contained in a communique issued after NARD’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, signed by its President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
NARD had suspended its 29-day strike on Saturday following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government, which committed to meeting the doctors’ demands within four weeks. The NEC said the suspension was temporary to allow monitoring of implementation, stressing that failure to comply would trigger a fresh indefinite strike.
Key Issues Reviewed
– Salary Arrears: The NEC noted that seven months of arrears from the 25–35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review had been processed up to December 2023, though some payments failed or were omitted.
– Accoutrement Allowance: A significant portion of the 2024 allowance has been paid, but reconciliation of failed payments is ongoing.
– Disengaged Doctors: The committee report on five resident doctors dismissed from Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, has been submitted, with full reinstatement expected within two weeks from November 27, 2025.
– Work Hours: An advisory discouraging excessive duties has been issued, and a taskforce will develop a formal policy within two months.
– Manpower Shortages: The Minister directed the Office of the Head of the Civil Service to conclude one-to-one replacement of personnel, with feedback expected by November 28, 2025.
– Promotion Arrears: Lists are to be sent to the Budget Office and Ministry of Finance within one month.
– House Officers’ Scheme: Benefits are to be transmitted to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for implementation.
– Universal CONMESS Application: The Ministry of Health is mandated to apply the salary structure across all MDAs.
– Casualisation of Doctors: Locum engagements are to be standardised to a minimum of six months, with a policy expected within two months.
Additional Resolutions
The NEC highlighted that:
– Specialist allowances for resident doctors are to be implemented by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
– The downgrading of the entry point from CONMESS 3 to 2 has been resolved, with upgrading to be handled by the Accountant General’s office.
– Outstanding salaries and arrears in hospitals including Otukpo, Owo, Ilorin, OAUTHC, and Uyo must be transmitted for payment within one month.
– Local disputes in state teaching hospitals, particularly Benue State University Teaching Hospital, require urgent intervention.
– Special pension benefits under the Nigerian Medical Association MoU will be addressed with PENCOM.
– The government has acknowledged deteriorating infrastructure and obsolete equipment, with consultant cadre issues for other health professionals to be handled under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Monitoring and Next Steps
– The NEC resolved that strict monitoring of government compliance will continue. It directed that:
– The five disengaged Lokoja doctors be reinstated within two weeks.
– CONMESS arrears, accoutrement allowances, specialist allowances, promotion arrears, and outstanding salaries be compiled and paid within one month.
– A central taskforce address duty hours and locum policies within two months.
– The CBA exercise resume and be completed promptly.
– One-to-one replacement be implemented to tackle manpower shortages.
The communique stressed that all unresolved issues in State Teaching Hospitals and Federal Health Institutions should continue industrial action until genuine commitments are made.
NARD concluded that while the strike is suspended for four weeks, failure to meet the agreements will result in the resumption of a total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike.