Resident Doctors Pause Planned Strike, Give Government Ultimatum on Key Demands

The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on the Federal Government to finalize the reinstatement of dismissed doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lokoja and to implement outstanding professional allowances starting from the January 2026 budget.

This appeal follows NARD’s decision to suspend a planned nationwide strike, originally set for January 12, after recent negotiations with government officials.

In an interview, NARD President Dr. Mohammad Suleiman expressed cautious hope that the government would act on these and other critical issues this month. He emphasized that the association’s list of 15 demands, all related to doctor welfare and healthcare system stability, remains a priority.

Key progress noted in a recent NARD communiqué includes:

· The formation of a reconciliation committee to resolve the crisis at the Lokoja hospital.

· Forwarding verified lists for the payment of long-overdue salary arrears to the relevant payroll office.

· A government circular on new professional allowances, with the Health Ministry requesting its implementation from January salaries.

The doctors’ union has conditionally suspended its strike action to allow for a review of progress later this month. However, Dr. Suleiman highlighted the ongoing brain drain crisis, noting that 4,700 doctors left Nigeria in 2024 alone, exacerbating pressures on the country’s healthcare system.