• Resident doctors suspend strike plans after FG approves key demands
• One-week timeline for salary, allowance issues agreed

In a significant boost to the welfare of the troops and Nigeria’s ongoing campaign against insecurity, President Bola Tinubu has approved a comprehensive salary review for the armed forces personnel, with pay increases ranging from 30 to 80 per cent across all ranks.

The new salary structure, which takes effect from September 1, will benefit about 250,000 military personnel and increase the federal government’s annual wage bill for the armed forces from N660 billion to N924 billion.

In a similar move, the federal government yesterday averted a planned nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) after reaching a series of agreements on outstanding welfare and salary issues following hours of negotiations at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, brought together the Ministers of Labour, Health and Finance, the Director-General of the Budget Office, the Accountant-General of the Federation, representatives of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), Cash Management officials and the NARD leadership, led by its President, Dr Mohamed Suleiman.

At 80 per cent, the review gives the highest increase to personnel from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant, a move seen as targeting the frontline troops bearing the brunt of the counter-insurgency, anti-banditry and internal security operations across the country.

Under the new pay structure, officers from the rank of Colonel down to Warrant Officer will receive a 50 per cent salary increase, while senior officers above the rank of Colonel, including Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant-Generals and Generals, will receive a 30 per cent increase.

The approval represents one of the most far-reaching welfare interventions for military personnel in recent years and reinforces the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving the conditions of service for members.

President Tinubu has repeatedly maintained that the sacrifices of Nigerian troops must be matched with improved welfare, better equipment and sustained investment in the country’s security architecture.

“The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation,” he said.

He further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to modernising the armed forces through improved welfare, acquisition of modern weapons and the bdeployment of advanced technology to enhance operational effectiveness.

“Our administration will continue to prioritise troops’ welfare and modernise the armed forces by providing the weapons and technological tools needed to discharge their duties,” he stated.

The president stressed that security remains the foundation for national development, noting that no country could attain greatness without guaranteeing the safety of its citizens.

“Our administration believes that no nation can achieve greatness without security. We therefore remain resolute in mobilising all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate security threats and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians,” he added.

Meanwhile, Tinubu urged the military personnel to see the salary review as a demonstration of the nation’s gratitude for their dedication and sacrifice.

“I urge our servicemen and women to take this gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation for the services they render to our fatherland. Together, we shall prevail over the enemies intent on destroying the fabric of our nation,” the president said.

MEANWHILE, the federal government’s intervention came days after NARD issued a seven-day ultimatum for an indefinite nationwide strike from August 10 over unresolved welfare concerns, including unpaid salary arrears, outstanding allowances, security threats to healthcare workers and delays in implementing agreements reached with the government.

Among its demands were the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears, an increase in the approved adjustment from 25 to 35 per cent, and payment of 19 months’ accumulated professional allowance arrears.

Following yesterday’s meeting, both parties agreed on timelines for resolving the outstanding issues, with the government committing to implement several of the agreements within one week.

The agreements include the payment of salary and promotion arrears, settlement of call-duty allowance issues affecting workers at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), and the finalisation of professional allowance templates.

The parties also agreed on measures to improve the timely payment of salaries to house officers and accelerate work on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Speaking after the meeting, NARD President, Suleiman, commended the intervention of the chief of staff, describing the discussions as productive and assuring that resident doctors remain committed to dialogue.

“I want to put it on record that this is not the first time the chief of staff has intervened in matters relating to resident doctors in this country,” he said.

“About six or seven years ago, when he was Speaker of the House of Representatives, he intervened, and each time he has got involved, our matters have been resolved. Today, I can tell you that our issues have been resolved.”

According to him, timelines have been agreed with relevant government agencies for the implementation of key demands: “On salary arrears and promotion arrears, we are talking about a one-week timeline. On the call-duty allowance issue in LUTH, we have also agreed on a one-week timeline for implementation.

“We have also agreed on the number of house officers to be engaged. In addition, house officers should no longer have to wait for an entire month before receiving their salaries. A standing directive has been issued that their salaries must be paid before the 10th of every month.”

He disclosed that the government had also made fresh concessions on the professional allowance template and was working on the outstanding balance after further clarification by the Budget Office.

On the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Suleiman said the Gbajabiamila directed the ministers of labour and health to fast-track negotiations to enable the necessary circulars and financial computations be concluded for inclusion in the 2027 budget.

The NARD president also welcomed commitments by the government to improve the safety of health workers across the country. He revealed that Gbajabiamila had initiated moves for legislation that would classify assaults on healthcare workers as aggravated offences.

According to him, 31 doctors and over 20 other health workers have been assaulted across the country within the last 10 months.

Suleiman further stated that the Ministry of Health would issue directives to hospitals to strengthen security, create safer working environments and embark on public awareness campaigns aimed at curbing violence against healthcare workers.

Yesterday’s agreements are expected to halt the planned industrial action, provided the government meets the agreed implementation timelines.