The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors has urged the Federal Government to conclude the process of reinstating the dismissed resident doctors in Lokoja and to capture and implement outstanding professional allowances in the January budget, among other demands.
In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise, the President of NARD, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, expressed hope that the 15 demands of the association being discussed would be implemented this month.
He said, “We hope they will finalise the processes of returning our members to Lokoja. We hope they will capture the professional allowances in the budget and implement them this January. And we hope they will pay this allowance.”
Suleiman further stated that while the government and some stakeholders often wanted the association to focus on a single demand, all 15 items were critical to the welfare of resident doctors and the healthcare system.
He stated, “We don’t have just one demand. We have 15 items at the table for discussion.”
PUNCH Healthwise reports that the association shelved its planned January 12 strike on Sunday after engagements with various government agencies.
NARD had, on November 1, 2025, embarked on an indefinite strike to press home its demands. The strike, which lasted for 29 days, was called off on November 29.
A communiqué issued by the association’s Secretary General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, on January 11, 2026, following a virtual extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, detailed the status of the 15 demands and the progress made through engagements with various government agencies.
The communiqué revealed that regarding the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja crisis, a reconciliation committee comprising the Chief Medical Directors, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and NARD had been established to ensure all members remained at the facility and to broker lasting peace between the Association of Resident Doctors at FTH Lokoja and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria at the same institution.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that tensions had earlier arisen at the FTH, Lokoja, following disagreements involving resident doctors and other medical staff, which led to the dismissal of five resident doctors and strained working relationships within the facility.
Continuing, NARD stated that concerning the outstanding 25 per cent and 35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure arrears, verified lists had been forwarded to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, while the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment had written to the Federal Ministry of Finance with attention to IPPIS for prompt payment.
Suleiman said, “Verified lists have been forwarded to IPPIS. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has written to the Federal Ministry of Finance, with attention to IPPIS. NARD will continue close follow-up to ensure prompt payment.”
The communiqué noted similar progress on outstanding accoutrement allowances, with the association maintaining close follow-up to ensure payment.
Regarding promotion and salary arrears, the association disclosed that lists had been transmitted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office, with the Honourable Minister of State for Finance acknowledging receipt.
The statement read, “Lists have been transmitted by FMoH&SW to the FMoF and Budget Office. Importantly, the Honourable Minister of State for Finance has acknowledged it, and NARD is now engaging to ensure a clear and expedited payment plan.”
On the issue of skipping and entry-level placement, NARD stated that the Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would communicate with Chief Executives of hospitals regarding a clarification issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, emphasising that CONMESS 3 was the recognised entry level.
The association revealed that a multi-stakeholder committee comprising the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Chief Medical Directors, the Nigerian Medical Association and NARD had been constituted to address locum practice and work hour regulation, with preliminary activities commencing ahead of formal inauguration.
Concerning house officers’ welfare, the communiqué stated that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment had intervened, and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would formally engage the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to communicate with IPPIS on salary delays, arrears and issuance of pay advisories.
On membership recategorisation, Suleiman disclosed that a committee chaired by the Director of Hospital Services had been set up to engage MDCN, Chief Medical Directors, postgraduate colleges and NARD.
The association stated that it would work closely with affected centres to ensure salary and allowance arrears in state and private facilities were cleared while ensuring that gains at the federal level were replicated at the state level.
Regarding the professional allowance table, the communiqué revealed that the circular had been released and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had written to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for full implementation, beginning with the January salary.
Suleiman said, “The circular has been released. MoH&SW has written to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for full implementation beginning with the January salary. NARD is following up closely. Assurances have also been given that 18 months’ arrears will be captured in the 2026 Budget.”
The association noted that it would continue to push for the immediate resumption and timely conclusion of negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Following firm commitments from critical stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Ministry of Finance, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, IPPIS, Director General of Budget, Chief Medical Directors, the National Assembly, Director General of the Department of State Services, and notably the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the NEC unanimously resolved to suspend the resumption of Total and Indefinite Comprehensive Strike 2.0.
The communiqué stated, “This suspension is strategic and conditional, allowing room to objectively review tangible progress at the January NEC meeting commencing 25th January 2026.”
In addition, the NARD president told PUNCH Healthwise that 4,700 doctors left Nigeria in 2024 alone, contributing to a brain drain crisis that has seen approximately 15,000 medical practitioners emigrate over the past seven years.
Suleiman noted that data on the number of doctors who left the country in 2025 would become available by the end of January or in February 2026, adding that the continuous exodus of medical professionals was significantly affecting healthcare delivery in the country.
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