The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned it may resume a total and indefinite strike within four weeks. The alert comes as the Federal Government continues to implement agreements from a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The announcement followed NARD’s Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. The communique was signed by President Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim. NARD had suspended a 29-day strike after the government promised to meet its demands within four weeks.
The NEC stated that the strike suspension allows monitoring of the MoU’s implementation. Failure to fully comply will result in the resumption of industrial action. The communique highlighted progress on key issues, including seven-month arrears of the 25–35 per cent CONMESS salary review and 2024 Accoutrement Allowances.Additionally, five disengaged doctors at Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, are expected to be reinstated within two weeks.
The NEC also addressed prolonged duty hours, manpower shortages, promotion arrears, and specialist allowances. A Central Taskforce Committee will oversee locum policies and duty hours, while ministries will expedite the Collective Bargaining Agreement process.
The NEC emphasized monitoring compliance closely. Outstanding salaries and allowances across several teaching hospitals must be transmitted and paid within one month. Local issues in state teaching hospitals, infrastructure deterioration, and special pension benefits will also be addressed promptly.
NARD concluded that all remaining agreements must be implemented immediately. Otherwise, a comprehensive strike will resume, affecting all federal and state health institutions with unresolved issues.
