The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the federal government four weeks to properly carry out pending agreements on pay, benefits, and welfare. At the same time, the group has extended the suspension of its Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS).
Channels TV said that the decision was made at the end of the Association’s January 2026 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and Scientific Conference, which took place in Jos, Plateau State, from January 25 to 29.
The Association thanked President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and other important people for their roles in ongoing talks in a letter signed by NARD President Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary Abdulmajid Ibrahim.
NARD called the four-week extension of the strike suspension a “goodwill gesture” because it recognized what it called progress achieved by the federal government.
The NEC said in a statement, “In recognition of the progress made by the federal government toward meeting the legitimate demands of Nigerian resident doctors, the Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike will be extended for another four weeks.”
NARD had its first official meeting of the year in January, the National NEC meeting, and a scientific conference on January 27 at the Eliel Centre, Gold and Base, Jos, Plateau State.
Dr. Peace Longdet spoke on behalf of Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the APC National Chairman, during the conference. The theme was “Innovating for Equity: Technology as a Bridge between Poverty and Health.”
The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Piwuna Christopher, led the celebration. Many important people came, including His Royal Majesty Jacob Gyang, the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs.
The leaders of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the chief medical directors of major health institutions were also there.
After a lot of discussion, the NEC agreed to bring back doctors who had left the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lokoja. They also praised the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for their work on the 25 and 35 percent CONMESS and accoutrement allowance arrears.
The Association was told by IPPIS that work was still going on to pay off the debts within two weeks.
NARD also said that the promotion and salary arrears had been sent to the right people, and the Minister of Finance promised that payments would be made faster.
The Association, on the other hand, was worried about how long it was taking to send out the order that confirmed CONMESS 3 as the official entry level for medical professionals.
It also complained about the lack of payment for the Professional Allowance that was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act and the fact that many health institutions are still behind on their salaries.
The Association cautioned that things were getting worse between workers and management at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital. They also called for better welfare, faster distribution of training funding, and more investment in health facilities across the country.
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