NARD Reveals Outcome Of Crucial Meeting With FG Amid Strike Threat

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) says it has made significant progress in talks with the Federal Government over the issues that prompted its planned nationwide strike scheduled for August 10, but insists the industrial action has not been suspended.

Speaking after a meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday, NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, said the discussions produced major breakthroughs on salary and promotion arrears, allowances, welfare of house officers, workplace security and other longstanding concerns.

According to Suleiman, the agreements reached have addressed most of the association’s demands, but the decision to suspend the strike rests with NARD’s National Executive Council (NEC), which will review the outcome of the meeting before taking a final position.

He expressed confidence in Gbajabiamila’s intervention, noting that the presidential aide has consistently played a key role in resolving disputes involving resident doctors over the years.

NARD had earlier issued an ultimatum, threatening to embark on a nationwide strike from August 10 over unpaid salaries, allowance arrears and unresolved welfare issues affecting doctors in federal health institutions.

Suleiman disclosed that government agencies had committed to clear implementation timelines for the agreed resolutions. He said the welfare dispute at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), including meal entitlements, is expected to be resolved within one week.

He also revealed that the Presidency directed that house officers’ salaries must be paid before the 10th of every month to eliminate recurring payment delays.

In addition, the Federal Government instructed the Ministries of Health and Labour to fast-track negotiations on doctors’ collective bargaining agreement, with plans to accommodate its financial implications in the 2027 national budget.

Despite the progress, Suleiman said a 19-month backlog of salary shortfalls covering the period from July 2024 to January 2026 remains outstanding. Although the salary discrepancy was corrected in February 2026, he noted that the accumulated arrears have yet to be paid.

On workplace safety, the NARD president disclosed that the association presented records showing that 31 doctors and more than 20 other health workers had been assaulted within the past 10 months.

He said the Federal Ministry of Health had agreed to issue directives to hospitals to strengthen security, create safer working environments and launch public awareness campaigns against violence targeting health workers.

Suleiman also revealed that Gbajabiamila pledged to support legislation that would classify assaults on health workers as aggravated offences, a move the association believes will serve as a strong deterrent and improve the safety of medical personnel nationwide.