NARD President Dr Mohammad Suleiman expressed hope that all 15 demands currently under discussion would be addressed this month
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on the Federal Government to conclude the reinstatement of dismissed resident doctors in Lokoja and to ensure outstanding professional allowances are included and implemented in the January budget.
In an exclusive interview with PUNCH, NARD President Dr Mohammad Suleiman expressed hope that all 15 demands currently under discussion would be addressed 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 emphasised that the association’s demands are not limited to a single issue, noting, “We don’t have just one demand. We have 15 items at the table for discussion.”
The association had suspended a planned strike on January 12 following engagements with government agencies.
NARD previously embarked on an indefinite strike on November 1, 2025, which lasted 29 days before being called off on November 29.
A communiqué issued on January 11, 2026, by NARD Secretary General Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, detailed the status of the 15 demands and progress made with government agencies.
On the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja crisis, a reconciliation committee has been established comprising Chief Medical Directors, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and NARD to ensure all members remain at the facility and to foster peace between resident doctors and medical consultants.
The communiqué also reported progress on salary and allowance arrears.
Verified lists of outstanding 25% and 35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure payments have been forwarded to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), with the Federal Ministry of Labour writing to the Ministry of Finance for prompt payment.
Suleiman said, “NARD will continue close follow-up to ensure prompt payment.”
Similarly, outstanding accoutrement allowances, promotion and salary arrears, skipping and entry-level placement, locum practice regulation, and house officers’ welfare are being addressed through multi-stakeholder committees and engagements with relevant ministries.
On professional allowances, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has written to the Office of the Accountant-General for full implementation starting with the January salary, with 18 months’ arrears to be captured in the 2026 budget.
The communiqué stated that the suspension of Total and Indefinite Comprehensive Strike 2.0 is strategic and conditional, allowing NARD to review progress at the next NEC meeting scheduled for January 25, 2026.
Suleiman also highlighted a worsening brain drain, noting that 4,700 doctors left Nigeria in 2024 alone, contributing to an estimated 15,000 medical professionals emigrating over the past seven years.
Data on 2025 departures is expected by late January or February 2026, with the exodus continuing to impact healthcare delivery nationwide.
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