The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a four-week ultimatum to fully implement outstanding agreements on salaries, allowances, and welfare, warning that failure could trigger renewed industrial action.

The decision was taken at the end of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and scientific conference held from January 25 to 29, 2026, in Jos, Plateau State.

In a communiqué signed by its president, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, the association acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and other stakeholders in addressing some of its demands.

The NEC commended the reinstatement of disengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and praised the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in resolving issues surrounding the outstanding 25 and 35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and accoutrement allowance arrears.

NARD also noted that promotion and salary arrears had been transmitted to the relevant authorities, with assurances from the Minister of Finance that payments would be fast-tracked.

However, the association expressed concern over delays in issuing the circular affirming CONMESS 3 as the approved entry level for medical doctors, as well as the continued non-payment of the professional allowance captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

It further decried persistent salary arrears in several health institutions and warned of worsening industrial relations at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, calling for urgent government intervention.

The association also demanded improved welfare for resident doctors, timely release of training funds, and increased investment in health infrastructure nationwide.

“The NEC demands the immediate clearance of the outstanding 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS arrears and accoutrement allowance arrears within the assured two-week timeline, as committed by IPPIS following the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment,” the communiqué stated.

It also demanded the payment of all promotion arrears already forwarded to the appropriate authorities, as well as the settlement of outstanding salary arrears owed to affected centres within four weeks.

In view of what it described as progress recorded so far, the NEC resolved to extend the suspension of its Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS) for another four weeks as a goodwill gesture to allow the government time to fully implement its demands.

NARD had earlier suspended its planned strike action scheduled for January 12 following the intervention of Vice-President Shettima and firm commitments from key stakeholders.