The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its indefinite strike, 29 days after the industrial action commenced on Nov. 1.
NARD National President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, announced the suspension on Saturday via his X handle, @mohagirei, following an extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association.
Suleiman said the decision followed “a series of conciliatory meetings” with the Federal Government, which culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining the status of the association’s 19-point demands.
He noted that among the unresolved issues was the payment of promotion arrears. According to him, compilation of the arrears by Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Managing Directors (MDs) had not been completed, although a four-week deadline had been set for payment.
He added that salary arrears were also expected to be cleared within the same timeframe in line with the agreement reached.
On the specialist allowance, Suleiman stated that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) had issued a clear directive, while the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission was expected to take necessary steps toward its implementation.
He also disclosed that the committee report on the “Lokoja Five”—resident doctors disengaged from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja—recommended their reabsorption, which is expected to be completed within two weeks.
Suleiman said the MoU further indicated that NARD and the Federal Government were finalising processes for addressing failed or omitted payments relating to the 25/35 per cent salary review and accoutrement allowance.
He said lists of residents due for upgrade were still being awaited from centre leaders to conclude the upgrade process, adding that the Post-Assessment Tool (PAT) had been released.
According to the NARD president, the issues of skipping and entry-level placement had been resolved following a directive from the OHCSF, while all outstanding matters concerning house officers had also been settled.
He added that an interim directive had been issued to CMDs and MDs to discontinue what the association described as “obnoxious clauses” in locum engagements.
Suleiman said advisory letters had also been sent to health facility heads to limit excessive call duties and ensure adequate rest periods for doctors.
He noted that committees set up to review the locum policy and regulate working hours were expected to produce comprehensive policy documents within two months.
He added that the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process would resume as soon as possible, and that discussions on the consultant cadre for other health professionals would be part of that engagement. He further stated that the special pensions committee was expected to resume sittings soon.
Suleiman said the NEC resolved to suspend the strike for four weeks “to allow room and show this uncommon gesture while we follow up on implementation.”
“Progress has been made significantly, and this is simply because of the efforts and convictions of NARDites across the country. Mistakes have also been made. Kindly rest those mistakes solely on my shoulders as president,” he said.
He added that the next phase would involve sustained engagement with Nigerians and the Federal Government throughout the four-week window.
“Failure to ensure the full implementation of the above A, B, C, D, will mean the lifting of the suspension on the strike action by NEC and the resumption of the strike.
“The countdown for the four weeks shall start on Monday and shall be a daily reminder to Nigerians and the Federal Government to adequately use this ‘four-week window’ justly and fully,” he said.
It was reported that the Nov. 1 strike—NARD’s latest in a series of industrial actions—was declared over unpaid arrears, stalled promotions, allowances, staffing gaps and other welfare-related grievances.
