The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors is expected to shelve its proposed nationwide strike after reaching a fresh understanding with the Federal Government during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The closed-door meeting, which lasted about three hours on Tuesday, was convened by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and focused on resolving lingering disputes over salaries, welfare packages and other conditions of service.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, NARD President, Dr Muhammad Suleiman, said significant progress had been made, with government agencies committing to clear timelines for implementing key agreements.
According to him, the association was satisfied with the outcome of the discussions but would await the decision of its National Executive Council before formally announcing the suspension of the planned industrial action.
“Our concerns have been substantially addressed. Concrete timelines have been agreed on issues relating to salaries, promotions and welfare, and we are optimistic that the commitments will be honoured,” Suleiman said.
The meeting had in attendance the Ministers of Labour, Health and Finance, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Director-General of the Budget Office, as well as officials in charge of government payroll and cash management.
Suleiman praised Gbajabiamila for intervening in the dispute, saying the Chief of Staff had consistently played a key role in resolving previous disagreements involving resident doctors.
He disclosed that both sides also reached an agreement on the lingering meal allowance issue affecting doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, adding that implementation would begin within one week.
The NARD president further said the Federal Government had directed that house officers must receive their salaries not later than the 10th day of every month to end recurring delays in payment.
On the long-awaited Collective Bargaining Agreement, he said the Presidency had instructed the Ministries of Labour and Health to conclude negotiations promptly so the agreed provisions could be reflected in the 2027 budget.
The doctors also raised concerns over the growing number of attacks on healthcare workers, with Suleiman revealing that more than 50 medical personnel, including 31 doctors, had been assaulted in the past 10 months.
He said the Federal Ministry of Health had pledged to improve security across hospitals and intensify public awareness campaigns aimed at discouraging violence against healthcare workers.
Suleiman added that the Chief of Staff had also promised to facilitate legislation that would classify assaults on health workers as a more serious criminal offence.
He explained that discussions also covered outstanding hazard and specialist allowance arrears, noting that although the government had corrected the payment structure earlier this year, some arrears dating back about 19 months were yet to be settled.
While declining to disclose the exact amount involved, he said officials had agreed on a more realistic figure and that the Budget Office would communicate a payment schedule.
Despite the positive outcome of the meeting, Suleiman maintained that only the association’s National Executive Council could take the final decision on suspending the planned strike.
A source familiar with the discussions, however, disclosed that NARD leaders had assured the Presidency that the proposed industrial action would be called off following the agreements reached.
The resident doctors had earlier threatened to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike from August 10 over unresolved salary arrears, unpaid allowances and other welfare-related issues if the Federal Government failed to address their demands before the deadline.